Pharmaceutical compositions of glycoconjugates

ABSTRACT

The invention includes methods and compositions for remodeling a peptide molecule, including the addition or deletion of one or more glycosyl groups to a peptide, and/or the addition of a modifying group of peptide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most naturally occurring peptides contain carbohydrate moieties attachedto the peptide via specific linkages to a select number of amino acidsalong the length of the primary peptide chain. Thus, many naturallyoccurring peptides are termed “glycopeptides.” The variability of theglycosylation pattern on any given peptide has enormous implications forthe function of that peptide. For example, the structure of the N-linkedglycans on a peptide can impact various characteristics of the peptide,including the protease susceptibility, intracellular trafficking,secretion, tissue targeting, biological half-life and antigenicity ofthe peptide in a cell or organism. The alteration of one or more ofthese characteristics greatly affects the efficacy of a peptide in itsnatural setting, and also affects the efficacy of the peptide as atherapeutic agent in situations where the peptide has been generated forthat purpose.

The carbohydrate structure attached to the peptide chain is known as a“glycan” molecule. The specific glycan structure present on a peptideaffects the solubility and aggregation characteristics of the peptide,the folding of the primary peptide chain and therefore its functional orenzymatic activity, the resistance of the peptide to proteolytic attackand the control of proteolysis leading to the conversion of inactiveforms of the peptide to active forms. Importantly, terminal sialic acidresidues present on the glycan molecule affect the length of the halflife of the peptide in the mammalian circulatory system. Peptides whoseglycans do not contain terminal sialic acid residues are rapidly removedfrom the circulation by the liver, an event which negates any potentialtherapeutic benefit of the peptide.

The glycan structures found in naturally occurring glycopeptides aretypically divided into two classes, N-linked and O-linked glycans.

Peptides expressed in eukaryotic cells are typically N-glycosylated onasparagine residues at sites in the peptide primary structure containingthe sequence asparagine-X-serine/threonine where X can be any amino acidexcept proline and aspartic acid. The carbohydrate portion of suchpeptides is known as an N-linked glycan. The early events ofN-glycosylation occur in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and areidentical in mammals, plants, insects and other higher eukaryotes.First, an oligosaccharide chain comprising fourteen sugar residues isconstructed on a lipid carrier molecule. As the nascent peptide istranslated and translocated into the ER, the entire oligosaccharidechain is transferred to the amide group of the asparagine residue in areaction catalyzed by a membrane bound glycosyltransferase enzyme. TheN-linked glycan is further processed both in the ER and in the Golgiapparatus. The further processing generally entails removal of some ofthe sugar residues and addition of other sugar residues in reactionscatalyzed by glycosylases and glycosyltransferases specific for thesugar residues removed and added.

Typically, the final structures of the N-linked glycans are dependentupon the organism in which the peptide is produced. For example, ingeneral, peptides produced in bacteria are completely unglycosylated.Peptides expressed in insect cells contain high mannose, paunci-mannoseN-linked oligosaccharide chains, among others. Peptides produced inmammalian cell culture are usually glycosylated differently depending,e.g., upon the species and cell culture conditions. Even in the samespecies and under the same conditions, a certain amount of heterogeneityin the glycosyl chain is sometimes encountered. Further, peptidesproduced in plant cells comprise glycan structures that differsignificantly from those produced in animal cells. The dilemma in theart of the production of recombinant peptides, particularly when thepeptides are to be used as therapeutic agents, is to be able to generatepeptides that are correctly glycosylated, i.e., to be able to generate apeptide having a glycan structure that resembles, or is identical tothat present on the naturally occurring form of the peptide. Mostpeptides produced by recombinant means comprise glycan structures thatare different from the naturally occurring glycans.

A variety of methods have been proposed in the art to customize theglycosylation pattern of a peptide including those described in WO99/22764, WO 98/58964, WO 99/54342 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,335, amongothers. Essentially, many of the enzymes required for the in vitroglycosylation of peptides have been cloned and sequenced. In someinstances, these enzymes have been used in vitro to add specific sugarsto an incomplete glycan molecule on a peptide. In other instances, cellshave been genetically engineered to express a combination of enzymes anddesired peptides such that addition of a desired sugar moiety to anexpressed peptide occurs within the cell.

Peptides may also be modified by addition of O-linked glycans, alsocalled mucin-type glycans because of their prevalence on mucinousglycopeptide. Unlike N-glycans that are linked to asparagine residuesand are formed by en bloc transfer of oligosaccharide from lipid-boundintermediates, O-glycans are linked primarily to serine and threonineresidues and are formed by the stepwise addition of sugars fromnucleotide sugars (Tanner et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 906:81-91(1987); and Hounsell et al., Glycoconj. J. 13:19-26 (1996)). Peptidefunction can be affected by the structure of the O-linked glycanspresent thereon. For example, the activity of P-selectin ligand isaffected by the O-linked glycan structure present thereon. For a reviewof O-linked glycan structures, see Schachter and Brockhausen, TheBiosynthesis of Branched O-Linked Glycans, 1989, Society forExperimental Biology, pp. 1-26 (Great Britain). Other glycosylationpatterns are formed by linking glycosylphosphatidylinositol to thecarboxyl-terminal carboxyl group of the protein (Takeda et al., TrendsBiochem. Sci. 20:367-371 (1995); and Udenfriend et al., Ann. Rev.Biochem. 64:593-591 (1995).

Although various techniques currently exist to modify the N-linkedglycans of peptides, there exists in the art the need for a generallyapplicable method of producing peptides having a desired, i.e., acustomized glycosylation pattern. There is a particular need in the artfor the customized in vitro glycosylation of peptides, where theresulting peptide can be produced at industrial scale. This and otherneeds are met by the present invention.

The administration of glycosylated and non-glycosylated peptides forengendering a particular physiological response is well known in themedicinal arts. Among the best known peptides utilized for this purposeis insulin, which is used to treat diabetes. Enzymes have also been usedfor their therapeutic benefits. A major factor, which has limited theuse of therapeutic peptides is the immunogenic nature of most peptides.In a patient, an immunogenic response to an administered peptide canneutralize the peptide and/or lead to the development of an allergicresponse in the patient. Other deficiencies of therapeutic peptidesinclude suboptimal potency and rapid clearance rates. The problemsinherent in peptide therapeutics are recognized in the art, and variousmethods of eliminating the problems have been investigated. To providesoluble peptide therapeutics, synthetic polymers have been attached tothe peptide backbone.

Poly(ethylene glycol) (“PEG”) is an exemplary polymer that has beenconjugated to peptides. The use of PEG to derivatize peptidetherapeutics has been demonstrated to reduce the immunogenicity of thepeptides and prolong the clearance time from the circulation. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,337 (Davis et al.) concerns non-immunogenicpeptides, such as enzymes and peptide hormones coupled to polyethyleneglycol (PEG) or polypropylene glycol. Between 10 and 100 moles ofpolymer are used per mole peptide and at least 15% of the physiologicalactivity is maintained.

WO 93/15189 (Veronese et al.) concerns a method to maintain the activityof polyethylene glycol-modified proteolytic enzymes by linking theproteolytic enzyme to a macromolecularized inhibitor. The conjugates areintended for medical applications.

The principal mode of attachment of PEG, and its derivatives, topeptides is a non-specific bonding through a peptide amino acid residue.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,538 discloses an enzymatically activepolymer-enzyme conjugate of an enzyme covalently bound to PEG.Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,689 discloses a covalently attachedcomplex of α-1 protease inhibitor with a polymer such as PEG ormethoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (“mPEG”). Abuchowski et al. (J. Biol. Chem.252: 3578 (1977) discloses the covalent attachment of mPEG to an aminegroup of bovine serum albumin. U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,147 discloses amethod of rendering interferon less hydrophobic by conjugating it to ananhydride of a dicarboxylic acid, such as poly(ethylene succinicanhydride). PCT WO 87/00056 discloses conjugation of PEG andpoly(oxyethylated) polyols to such proteins as interferon-β,interleukin-2 and immunotoxins. EP 154,316 discloses and claimschemically modified lympholines, such as IL-2 containing PEG bondeddirectly to at least one primary amino group of the lymphokine. U.S.Pat. No. 4,055,635 discloses pharmaceutical compositions of awater-soluble complex of a proteolytic enzyme linked covalently to apolymeric substance such as a polysaccharide.

Another mode of attaching PEG to peptides is through the non-specificoxidation of glycosyl residues on a peptide. The oxidized sugar isutilized as a locus for attaching a PEG moiety to the peptide. Forexample M'Timkulu (WO 94/05332) discloses the use of a hydrazine- oramino-PEG to add PEG to a glycoprotein. The glycosyl moieties arerandomly oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes, which are subsequentlycoupled to the amino-PEG.

In each of the methods described above, poly(ethylene glycol) is addedin a random, non-specific manner to reactive residues on a peptidebackbone. For the production of therapeutic peptides, it is clearlydesirable to utilize a derivatization strategy that results in theformation of a specifically labeled, readily characterizable,essentially homogeneous product.

Two principal classes of enzymes are used in the synthesis ofcarbohydrates, glycosyltransferases (e.g., sialyltransferases,oligosaccharyltransferases, N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases), andglycosidases. The glycosidases are further classified as exoglycosidases(e.g., β-mannosidase, β-glucosidase), and endoglycosidases (e.g. Endo-A,Endo-M). Each of these classes of enzymes has been successfully usedsynthetically to prepare carbohydrates. For a general review, see, Croutet al., Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 2: 98-111 (1998).

Glycosyltransferases modify the oligosaccharide structures on peptides.Glycosyltransferases are effective for producing specific products withgood stereochemical and regiochemical control. Glycosyltransferases havebeen used to prepare oligosaccharides and to modify terminal N- andO-linked carbohydrate structures, particularly on peptides produced inmammalian cells. For example, the terminal oligosaccharides ofglycopeptides have been completely sialylated and/or fucosylated toprovide more consistent sugar structures, which improves glycopeptidepharmacodynamics and a variety of other biological properties. Forexample, β-1,4-galactosyltransferase is used to synthesize lactosamine,an illustration of the utility of glycosyltransferases in the synthesisof carbohydrates (see, e.g., Wong et al., J. Org. Chem. 47: 5416-5418(1982)). Moreover, numerous synthetic procedures have made use ofα-sialyltransferases to transfer sialic acid fromcytidine-5′-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid to the 3-OH or 6-OH ofgalactose (see, e.g. Kevin et al., Chem. Eur. J. 2: 1359-1362 (1996)).Fucosyltransferases are used in synthetic pathways to transfer a fucoseunit from guanosine-5′-diphosphofucose to a specific hydroxyl of asaccharide acceptor. For example, Ichikawa prepared sialyl Lewis-X by amethod that involves the fucosylation of sialylated lactosamine with acloned fucosyltransferase (Ichikawa et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 114:9283-9298 (1992)). For a discussion of recent advances in glycoconjugatesynthesis for therapeutic use see, Koefler et al., Nature Biotechnology18: 835-841 (2000). See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,876,980; 6,030,815;5,728,554; 5,922,577; and WO/9831826.

Glycosidases can also be used to prepare saccharides. Glycosidasesnormally catalyze the hydrolysis of a glycosidic bond. However, underappropriate conditions, they can be used to form this linkage. Mostglycosidases used for carbohydrate synthesis are exoglycosidases; theglycosyl transfer occurs at the non-reducing terminus of the substrate.The glycosidase binds a glycosyl donor in a glycosyl-enzyme intermediatethat is either intercepted by water to yield the hydrolysis product, orby an acceptor, to generate a new glycoside or oligosaccharide. Anexemplary pathway using an exoglycosidase is the synthesis of the coretrisaccharide of all N-linked glycopeptides, including the β-mannosidelinkage, which is formed by the action of β-mannosidase (Singh et al.,Chem. Commun. 993-994 (1996)).

In another exemplary application of the use of a glycosidase to form aglycosidic linkage, a mutant glycosidase has been prepared in which thenormal nucleophilic amino acid within the active site is changed to anon-nucleophilic amino acid. The mutant enzyme does not hydrolyzeglycosidic linkages, but can still form them. Such a mutant glycosidaseis used to prepare oligosaccharides using an α-glycosyl fluoride donorand a glycoside acceptor molecule (Withers et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,716,812).

Although their use is less common than that of the exoglycosidases,endoglycosidases are also utilized to prepare carbohydrates. Methodsbased on the use of endoglycosidases have the advantage that anoligosaccharide, rather than a monosaccharide, is transferred.Oligosaccharide fragments have been added to substrates usingendo-β-N-acetylglucosamines such as endo-F, endo-M (Wang et al.,Tetrahedron Lett. 37: 1975-1978); and Haneda et al., Carbohydr. Res.292: 61-70 (1996)).

In addition to their use in preparing carbohydrates, the enzymesdiscussed above are applied to the synthesis of glycopeptides as well.The synthesis of a homogenous glycoform of ribonuclease B has beenpublished (Witte K et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 119: 2114-2118 (1997)). Thehigh mannose core of ribonuclease B was cleaved by treating theglycopeptide with endoglycosidase H. The cleavage occurred specificallybetween the two core GlcNAc residues. The tetrasaccharide sialyl Lewis Xwas then enzymatically rebuilt on the remaining GlcNAc anchor site onthe now homogenous protein by the sequential use ofβ-1,4-galactosyltransferase, α-2,3-sialyltransferase andα-1,3-facosyltransferase V. However, while each enzymatically catalyzedstep proceeded in excellent yield, such procedures have not been adaptedfor the generation of glycopeptides on an industrial scale.

Methods combining both chemical and enzymatic synthetic elements arealso known in the art. For example, Yamamoto and coworkers (Carbohydr.Res. 305: 415-422 (1998)) reported the chemoenzymatic synthesis of theglycopeptide, glycosylated Peptide T, using an endoglycosidase. TheN-acetylglucosaminyl peptide was synthesized by purely chemical means.The peptide was subsequently enzymatically elaborated with theoligosaccharide of human transferrin peptide. The saccharide portion wasadded to the peptide by treating it with anendo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase. The resulting glycosylated peptide washighly stable and resistant to proteolysis when compared to the peptideT and N-acetylglucosaminyl peptide T.

The use of glycosyltransferases to modify peptide structure withreporter groups has been explored. For example, Brossmer et al. U.S.Pat. No. 5,405,753) discloses the formation of a fluorescent-labeledcytidine monophosphate (“CMP”) derivative of sialic acid and the use ofthe fluorescent glycoside in an assay for sialyl transferase activityand for the fluorescent-labeling of cell surfaces, glycoproteins andpeptides. Gross et al. (Analyt. Biochem. 186: 127 (1990)) describe asimilar assay. Bean et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,059) discloses an assayfor glycosylation deficiency disorders utilizing reglycosylation of adeficiently glycosylated protein. The deficient protein isreglycosylated with a fluorescent-labeled CMP glycoside. Each of thefluorescent sialic acid derivatives is substituted with the fluorescentmoiety at either the 9-position or at the amine that is normallyacetylated in sialic acid. The methods using the fluorescent sialic acidderivatives are assays for the presence of glycosyltransferases or fornon-glycosylated or improperly glycosylated glycoproteins. The assaysare conducted on small amounts of enzyme or glycoprotein in a sample ofbiological origin. The enzymatic derivatization of a glycosylated ornon-glycosylated peptide on a preparative or industrial scale using amodified sialic acid has not been disclosed or suggested in the priorart.

Considerable effort has also been directed towards the modification ofcell surfaces by altering glycosyl residues presented by those surfaces.For example, Fukada and coworkers have developed a method for attachingglycosides of defined structure onto cell surfaces. The method exploitsthe relaxed substrate specificity of a fucosyltransferase that cantransfer fucose and fucose analogs bearing diverse glycosyl substrates(Tsuboi et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271: 27213 (1996)).

Enzymatic methods have also been used to activate glycosyl residues on aglycopeptide towards subsequent chemical elaboration. The glycosylresidues are typically activated using galactose oxidase, which convertsa terminal galactose residue to the corresponding aldehyde. The aldehydeis subsequently coupled to an amine-containing modifying group. Forexample, Casares et al. (Nature Biotech. 19: 142 (2001)) have attacheddoxorubicin to the oxidized galactose residues of a recombinantMHCII-peptide chimera.

Glycosyl residues have also been modified to contain ketone groups. Forexample, Mahal and co-workers (Science 276: 1125 (1997)) have preparedN-levulinoyl mannosamine (“ManLev”), which has a ketone functionality atthe position normally occupied by the acetyl group in the naturalsubstrate. Cells were treated with the ManLev, thereby incorporating aketone group onto the cell surface. See, also Saxon et al., Science 287:2007 (2000); Hang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 123: 1242 (2001); Yarema etal., J. Biol. Chem. 273: 31168 (1998); and Charter et al., Glycobiology10: 1049 (2000).

The methods of modifying cell surfaces have not been applied in theabsence of a cell to modify a glycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide.Further, the methods of cell surface modification are not utilized forthe enzymatic incorporation preformed modified glycosyl donor moietyinto a peptide. Moreover, none of the cell surface modification methodsare practical for producing glycosyl-modified peptides on an industrialscale.

Despite the efforts directed toward the enzymatic elaboration ofsaccharide structures, there remains still a need for an industriallypractical method for the modification of glycosylated andnon-glycosylated peptides with modifying groups such as water-solublepolymers, therapeutic moieties, biomolecules and the like. Of particularinterest are methods in which the modified peptide has improvedproperties, which enhance its use as a therapeutic or diagnostic agent.The present invention fulfills these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes a multitude of methods of remodeling a peptide tohave a specific glycan structure attached thereto. Although specificglycan structures are described herein, the invention should not beconstrued to be limited to any one particular structure. In addition,although specific peptides are described herein, the invention shouldnot be limited by the nature of the peptide described, but rather shouldencompass any and all suitable peptides and variations thereof.

The description which follows discloses the preferred embodiments of theinvention and provides a written description of the claims appendedhereto. The invention encompasses any and all variations of theseembodiments that are or become apparent following a reading of thepresent specification.

The invention includes a cell-free, in vitro method of remodeling apeptide having the formula:

wherein

AA is a terminal or internal amino acid residue of the peptide;

X¹—X² is a saccharide covalently linked to the AA, wherein

X¹ is a first glycosyl residue; and

X² is a second glycosyl residue covalently linked to X¹, wherein X¹ andX² are selected from monosaccharyl and oligosaccharyl residues. Themethod comprises:

-   -   (a) removing X² or a saccharyl subunit thereof from the peptide,        thereby forming a truncated glycan; and    -   (b) contacting the truncated glycan with at least one        glycosyltransferase and at least one glycosyl donor under        conditions suitable to transfer the at least one glycosyl donor        to the truncated glycan, thereby remodeling the peptide.

In one aspect, the method further comprises

-   -   (c) removing X¹, thereby exposing the AA; and    -   (d) contacting the AA with at least one glycosyltransferase and        at least one glycosyl donor under conditions suitable to        transfer the at least one glycosyl donor to the AA, thereby        remodeling the peptide.

In another aspect, the method further comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (b), removing a group added to the saccharide        during post-translational modification.

In one embodiment, the group is a member selected from phosphate,sulfate, carboxylate and esters thereof.

In another embodiment, the peptide has the formula:

wherein

Z is a member selected from O, S, NH, and a crosslinker.

At least one of the glycosyl donors comprises a modifying group, and themodifying group may be a member selected from the group consisting of awater-soluble polymer, a therapeutic moiety, a detectable label, areactive linker group, and a targeting moiety. Preferably, the modifyinggroup is a water soluble polymer, and more preferably, the water solublepolymer comprises poly(ethylene glycol). Even more preferably, thepoly(ethylene glycol) has a molecular weight distribution that isessentially homodisperse.

In this and several other embodiments, the peptide may be selected fromthe group consisting of granulocyte colony stimulating factor,interferon-alpha, interferon-beta, Factor VIIa, Factor IX, folliclestimulating hormone, erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colonystimulating factor, interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor,beta-glucosidase, tissue plasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2,Factor VIII, chimeric tumor necrosis factor receptor, urokinase,chimeric anti-glycoproteinIIb/IIIa antibody, chimeric anti-HER2antibody, chimeric anti-respiratory syncytial virus antibody, chimericanti-CD20 antibody, DNase, chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody,human insulin, hepatitis B sAg, and human growth hormone.

Also included in the invention is a cell-free in vitro method ofremodeling a peptide having the formula:

wherein

-   -   X³, X⁴, X⁵, X⁶, X⁷ and X¹⁷ are independently selected        monosaccharyl or oligosaccharyl residues; and    -   a, b, c, d, e, and x are independently selected from the        integers 0, 1 and 2, with the proviso that at least one member        selected from a, b, c, d, e, and x is 1 or 2. The method        comprises:    -   (a) removing at least one of X³, X⁴, X⁵, X⁶, X⁷ or X¹⁷, or a        saccharyl subunit thereof from the peptide, thereby forming a        truncated glycan; and    -   (b) contacting the truncated glycan with at least one        glycosyltransferase and at least one glycosyl donor under        conditions suitable to transfer the at least one glycosyl donor        to the truncated glycan, thereby remodeling the peptide.

In one aspect, the removing of step (a) produces a truncated glycan inwhich a, b, c, e and x are each 0.

In another aspect, X³, X⁵ and X⁷ are selected from the group consistingof (mannose)_(z) and (mannose)_(z)—(X⁸)_(y)

wherein

-   -   X⁸ is a glycosyl moiety selected from mono- and        oligo-saccharides;    -   y is an integer selected from 0 and 1; and    -   z is an integer between 1 and 20, wherein    -   when z is 3 or greater, (mannose)_(z) is selected from linear        and branched structures.

In yet another aspect, X⁴ is selected from the group consisting ofGlcNAc and xylose. In a further aspect, wherein X³, X⁵ and X⁷ are(mannose)_(u), wherein u is selected from the integers between 1 and 20,and when u is 3 or greater, (mannose)_(u) is selected from linear andbranched structures.

At least one of the glycosyl donors comprises a modifying group, and themodifying group may be a member selected from the group consisting of awater-soluble polymer, a therapeutic moiety, a detectable label, areactive linker group, and a targeting moiety. Preferably, the modifyinggroup is a water soluble polymer, and more preferably, the water solublepolymer comprises poly(ethylene glycol). Even more preferably, thepoly(ethylene glycol) has a molecular weight distribution that isessentially homodisperse.

In addition, the peptide maybe selected from the group consisting ofgranulocyte colony stimulating factor, interferon-alpha,interferon-beta, Factor VIIa, Factor IX, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, Factor VIII, chimerictumor necrosis factor receptor, urokinase, chimericanti-glycoproteinIIb/IIIa antibody, chimeric anti-HER2 antibody,chimeric anti-respiratory syncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20antibody, DNase, chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, humaninsulin, hepatitis B sAg, and human growth hormone.

Also included is a cell-free in vitro method of remodeling a peptidecomprising a glycan having the formula:

wherein

-   -   r, s, and t are integers independently selected from 0 and 1.        The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the peptide with at least one glycosyltransferase        and at least one glycosyl donor under conditions suitable to        transfer the at least one glycosyl donor to the glycan, thereby        remodeling the peptide.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the glycosyl donors comprisesa modifying group, and the modifying group may be a member selected fromthe group consisting of a water-soluble polymer, a therapeutic moiety, adetectable label, a reactive linker group, and a targeting moiety.Preferably, the modifying group is a water soluble polymer, and morepreferably, the water soluble polymer comprises poly(ethylene glycol).Even more preferably, the poly(ethylene glycol) has a molecular weightdistribution that is essentially homodisperse.

Further, the peptide may be selected from the group consisting ofgranulocyte colony stimulating factor, interferon-alpha,interferon-beta, Factor VIIa, Factor IX, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, Factor VIII, chimerictumor necrosis factor receptor, urokinase, chimericanti-glycoproteinIIb/IIIa antibody, chimeric anti-HER2, antibody,chimeric anti-respiratory syncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20antibody, DNase, chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, humaninsulin, hepatitis B sAg, and human growth hormone.

In yet another aspect, the peptide has the formula:

wherein

X⁹ and X¹⁰ are independently selected monosaccharyl or oligosaccharylresidues; and

m, n and f are integers selected from 0 and 1.

In another aspect, the peptide has the formula:

wherein

X¹¹ and X¹² are independently selected glycosyl moieties; and

r and x are integers independently selected from 0 and 1.

In a preferred embodiment, X¹¹ and X¹² are (mannose)_(q), wherein

q is selected from the integers between 1 and 20, and when q is three orgreater, (mannose)_(q) is selected from linear and branched structures.

In another aspect, the peptide has the formula:

wherein

-   -   X¹³, X¹⁴, and X¹⁵ are independently selected glycosyl residues;        and    -   g, h, i, j, k, and p are independently selected from the        integers 0 and 1, with the proviso that at least one of g, h, i,        j, k and p is 1.

In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, X¹⁴ and X¹⁵ aremembers independently selected from GlcNAc and Sia; and i and k areindependently selected from the integers 0 and 1, with the proviso thatat least one of i and k is 1, and if k is 1, g, h, and j are 0.

In another aspect of the invention, the peptide has the formula:

wherein

X¹⁶ is a member selected from:

wherein

-   -   s, u and i are independently selected from the integers 0 and 1.

On one embodiment of the invention the removing utilizes a glycosidase.

Also included in the invention is a cell-free, in vitro method ofremodeling a peptide having the formula:

wherein

-   -   AA is a terminal or internal amino acid residue of the peptide;    -   X¹ is a glycosyl residue covalently linked to the AA, selected        from monosaccharyl and oligosaccharyl residues; and    -   u is an integer selected from 0 and 1. The method comprises:        contacting the peptide with at least one glycosyltransferase and        at least one glycosyl donor under conditions suitable to        transfer the at least one glycosyl donor to the truncated        glycan, wherein the glycosyl donor comprises a modifying group,        thereby remodeling the peptide.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the glycosyl donors comprisesa modifying group, and the modifying group may be a member selected fromthe group consisting of a water-soluble polymer, a therapeutic moiety, adetectable label, a reactive linker group, and a targeting moiety.Preferably, the modifying group is a water soluble polymer, and morepreferably, the water soluble polymer comprises poly(ethylene glycol).Even more preferably, the poly(ethylene glycol) has a molecular weightdistribution that is essentially homodisperse.

In addition, the peptide may be selected from the group consisting ofgranulocyte colony stimulating factor, interferon-alpha,interferon-beta, Factor VIIa, Factor IX, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, Factor VIII, chimerictumor necrosis factor receptor, urokinase, chimericanti-glycoproteinIIb/IIIa antibody, chimeric anti-HER2 antibody,chimeric anti-respiratory syncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20antibody, DNase, chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, humaninsulin, hepatitis B sAg, and human growth hormone.

The invention additionally includes a covalent conjugate between apeptide and a modifying group that alters a property of the peptide,wherein the modifying group is covalently attached to the peptide at apreselected glycosyl or amino acid residue of the peptide via an intactglycosyl linking group.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from the groupconsisting of a water-soluble polymer, a therapeutic moiety, adetectable label, a reactive linker group, and a targeting moiety.

In another aspect, the modifying group and an intact glycpsyl linkinggroup precursor are bound as a covalently attached unit to the peptidevia the action of an enzyme, the enzyme converting the precursor to theintact glycosyl linking group, thereby forming the conjugate.

The covalent conjugate of the invention comprises:

a first modifying group covalently bound to a first residue of thepeptide via a first intact glycosyl linking group, and

a second glycosyl linking group bound to a second residue of the peptidevia a second intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the first residue and the second residue arestructurally identical. In another embodiment, the first residue and thesecond residue have different structures. In an additional embodiment,the first residue and the second residue are glycosyl residues. Inanother embodiment, the first residue and the second residue are aminoacid residues.

In yet another embodiment, the peptide is remodeled prior to forming theconjugate. Preferably, peptide is remodeled to introduce an acceptormoiety for the intact glycosyl lining group.

In another embodiment, the modifying group is a water-soluble polymerthat may comprises poly(ethylene glycol), which, in another embodiment,may have a molecular weight distribution that is essentiallyhomodisperse.

In yet a further embodiment, the peptide is selected from the groupconsisting of granulocyte colony stimulating factor, interferon-alpha,interferon-beta, Factor VIIa, Factor IX, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, Factor VIII, chimerictumor necrosis factor receptor, urokinase, chimericanti-glycoproteinIIb/IIIa antibody, chimeric anti-HER2 antibody,chimeric anti-respiratory syncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20antibody, DNase, chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, humaninsulin, hepatitis B sAg, and human growth hormone.

In another embodiment, the intact glycosyl linking unit is a memberselected from the group consisting of a sialic acid residue, a Galresidue, a GlcNAc residue and a GalNAc residue.

There is also provided in the invention a method of forming a covalentconjugate between a polymer and a glycosylated or non-glycosylatedpeptide, wherein the polymer is conjugated to the peptide via an intactglycosyl linking group interposed between and covalently linked to boththe peptide and the polymer. The method comprises contacting the peptidewith a mixture comprising a nucleotide sugar covalently linked to thepolymer and a glycosyltransferase for which the nucleotide sugar is asubstrate under conditions sufficient to form the conjugate.

In a preferred embodiment, the polymer is a water-soluble polymer. Inanother preferred embodiment, the glycosyl linking group is covalentlyattached to a glycosyl residue covalently attached to the peptide, andin another embodiment, the glycosyl linking group is covalently attachedto an amino acid residue of the peptide.

In yet a further embodiment, the polymer comprises a member selectedfrom the group consisting of a polyalkylene oxide and a polypeptide. Thepolyalkylene oxide may be poly(ethylene glycol) in one embodiment of theinvention. In another embodiment, the poly(ethylene glycol) has a degreeof polymerization of from about 1 to about 20,000, preferably, fromabout 1 to about 5,000, or also preferably, the polyethylene glycol hasa degree of polymerization of from about 1 to about 1,000.

In another embodiment, the glycosyltransferase is selected from thegroup consisting of sialyltransferase, galactosyltransferase,glucosyltransferase, GalNAc transferase, GlcNAc transferase,fucosyltransferase, and mannosyltransferase. In one embodiment, theglycosyltransferase is recombinantly produced, and in anotherembodiment, the glycosyltransferase is a recombinant prokaryotic enzyme,or a recombinant eukaryotic enzyme.

In yet a further embodiment, the nucleotide sugar is selected from thegroup consisting of UDP-glycoside, CMP-glycoside, and GDP-glycoside andis preferably selected from the group consisting of UDP-galactose,UDP-galactosamine, UDP-glucose, UDP-glucosamine,UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, GDP-mannose,GDP-fucose, CMP-sialic acid, CMP-NeuAc.

In another embodiment, the peptide is a therapeutic agent.

In yet another embodiment, the glycosylated peptide is partiallydeglycosylated prior to the contacting.

In a further embodiment, the intact glycosyl linking group is a sialicacid residue.

Further, the method may be performed in a cell-free environment.

And, in another embodiment, the covalent conjugate may be isolated, andpreferably, the covalent conjugate is isolated by membrane filtration.

There is also provided a method of forming a covalent conjugate betweena first glycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide, and a secondglycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide cojoined by a linker moiety,wherein

-   -   the linker moiety is conjugated to the first peptide via a first        intact glycosyl linking group interposed between and covalently        linked to both the first peptide and the linker moiety, and    -   the linker moiety is conjugated to the second peptide via a        second intact glycosyl linking group interposed between and        covalently linked to both the second peptide and the linker        moiety. The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the first peptide with a derivative of the linker        moiety precursor comprising a precursor of the first intact        glycosyl linking group and a precursor of the second intact        glycosyl linking group;    -   (b) contacting the mixture from (a) with a glycosyl transferase        for which the precursor of the first glycosyl linking group is a        substrate, under conditions sufficient to convert the precursor        of the first intact glycosyl linking group into the first intact        glycosyl linking group, thereby forming a first conjugate        between the linker moiety precursor and the first peptide;    -   (c) contacting the first conjugate with the second peptide and a        glycosyltransferase for which the precursor of the second intact        glycosyl group is a substrate under conditions sufficient to        convert the precursor of the second intact glycosyl linking        group into the second glycosyl linking group, thereby forming        the conjugate between the linker moiety and the first        glycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide, and the second        glycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide.

In one aspect, the linker moiety comprises a water-soluble polymer, andin one embodiment, the water-soluble polymer comprises poly(ethyleneglycol).

There is also provided a method of forming a covalent conjugate betweena first glycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide, and a secondglycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide cojoined by a linker moiety,wherein

-   -   the linker moiety is covalently conjugated to the first peptide,        and    -   the linker moiety is conjugated to the second peptide via an        intact glycosyl linking group interposed between and covalently        linked to both the second peptide and the linker moiety. The        method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the first peptide with an activated derivative of        the linker moiety comprising;        -   a reactive functional group of reactivity complementary to a            residue on the first peptide, and a precursor of the intact            glycosyl linking group, under conditions sufficient to form            a covalent bond between the reactive functional group and            the residue, thereby forming a first conjugate; and    -   (b) contacting the first conjugate with the second peptide and a        glycosyltransferase for which the precursor of the intact        glycosyl linking group is a substrate, under conditions        sufficient to convert the precursor of the intact glycosyl        linking group into the intact glycosyl linking group, thereby        forming the conjugate between the first glycosylated or        non-glycosylated peptide, and the second glycosylated or        non-glycosylated peptide cojoined by the linker moiety.

In one embodiment the linker moiety comprises a water-soluble polymer,which may be poly(ethylene glycol).

Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising apharmaceutically acceptable diluent and a covalent conjugate between apolymer and a glycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide, wherein thepolymer is conjugated to the peptide via an intact glycosyl linkinggroup interposed between and covalently linked to both the peptide andthe polymer.

The invention further includes a composition for forming a conjugatebetween a peptide and a modified sugar, the composition comprising: anadmixture of a modified sugar, a glycosyltransferase, and a peptideacceptor substrate, wherein the modified sugar has covalently attachedthereto a member selected from a polymer, a therapeutic moiety and abiomolecule.

The invention also includes peptides remodeled using the methods of theinvention and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the remodeledpeptides.

Also provided in the invention is a compound having the formula:

wherein

-   -   MS is a modified sugar comprising a sugar covalently bonded to a        modifying group;    -   Nu is a nucleoside; and    -   b is an integer from 0 to 2.

In one aspect, there is included a compound having the formula:

wherein

-   -   X, Y, Z, A and B are members independently selected from S, O        and NH;    -   R²¹, R²², R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ members independently selected from        H and a polymer;    -   R²⁶ is a member selected from H, OH, and a polymer;    -   R²⁷ is a member selected from COO⁻ and Na⁺;    -   Nu is a nucleoside; and    -   a is an integer from 1 to 3.

The invention further provides a cell-free, in vitro method ofremodeling a peptide having the formula:

wherein

AA is a terminal or internal amino acid residue of the peptide. Themethod comprises:

contacting the peptide with at least one glycosyltransferase and atleast one glycosyl donor under conditions suitable to transfer the atleast one glycosyl donor to the amino acid residue, wherein the glycosyldonor comprises a modifying group, thereby remodeling the peptide.

In each of the embodiments that are discussed below, specific remodelingschemes and peptides are identified solely to emphasize preferredembodiments of the invention.

The invention therefore includes a method of forming a conjugate betweena granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) peptide and a modifyinggroup, wherein the modifying group is covalently attached to the G-CSFpeptide through an intact glycosyl linking group, the G-CSF peptidecomprising a glycosyl residue having the formula:

wherein

a, b, c, and e are members independently selected from 0 and 1;

d is 0; and

R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose. The methodcomprises:

-   -   (a) contacting the G-CSF peptide with a glycosyltransferase and        a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is        a substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the G-CSF peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the G-CSF peptide.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (c) prior to step (a), contacting the G-CSF peptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the G-CSF peptide.

In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (d) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the G-CSF peptide with        N-acetylgalactosamine transferase and a GalNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GalNAc to the G-CSF peptide.

In a further embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a), contacting the G-CSF peptide with        endo-N-acetylgalactosaminidase operating synthetically and a        GalNAc donor under conditions appropriate to transfer GalNAc to        the G-CSF peptide.

In yet a further embodiment, the modifying group is a member selectedfrom a polymer, a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and aglycoconjugate.

In specific embodiments, referring to the G-CSF peptide formulapresented above, a, b, c, and e are 0. Alternatively, a and e aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; and b, c, and d are 0.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, and e are members independently selected from0 and 1.

The invention further includes a G-CSF peptide conjugate formed by theabove-described methods.

There is also included a method of forming a conjugate between aninterferon alpha peptide and a modifying group, wherein the modifyinggroup is covalently attached to the glycopeptide through an intactglycosyl linking group, the glycopeptide comprising a glycosyl residuehaving a formula selected from:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, aa, bb, cc, dd, and ee        are members independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers from 0 to 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers from 0 to 20;    -   v, w, x, y, and z are 0; and    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose    -   R′ is H, a glycosyl residue, a modifying group, or a        glycoconjugate.

The method comprises:

-   -   (a) contacting the glycopeptide with a member selected from a        glycosyltransferase, an endo-acetylgalactosaminidase operating        synthetically and a trans-sialidase, and a modified glycosyl        donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a substrate for the        glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the modifying group,        under conditions appropriate for the formation of the intact        glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the glycopeptide.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

In yet an additional embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a) contacting the glycopeptide with a        combination of a glycosidase and a sialidase.

In an additional embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with an        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the glycopeptide.

In yet another embodiment, the method also comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the glycopeptide.

In addition, the method also comprises:

-   -   (g) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer galactose to the product.

Also, the method further comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (b), contacting the glycopeptide with        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the glycopeptide.

The invention also further comprises:

-   -   (i) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        mannosidase under conditions appropriate to remove mannose from        the glycopeptide.

In addition, the method further comprises:

-   -   (j) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

According to the invention and with respect to the interferon alphapeptide formula disclosed above, a, b, c, d, aa, and bb are 1; e, f, g,and h are members independently selected from the integers from 1 to 4;i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, u, and cc are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; and n, o, p, q, v, w, x, y, z, dd, and ee are 0.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, s, u, v, w, x,y, z, cc, dd, and ee are 0; e, g, i, r, and t are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; and aa and bb are 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d,e, f, g, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, and u are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; h is a member independently selected from theintegers from 1 to 3; dd, v, w, x, and y are 0; and aa and bb are 1.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, s, u, v, w, x, y, and ddare 0; e, g, i, r, and t are members independently selected from 0 and1; and aa and bb are 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k,l, m, and dd are 0; r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; and aa and bb are 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d,e, f, g, h, i, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from 0and 1; j, k, l, m, v, w, x, y, and dd are 0; and aa and bb are 1.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, and u aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; h is a member independentlyselected from the integers from 1 to 3; v, w, x, y, and dd are 0; and aaand bb are 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, s, u, v, w,x, y, and dd are 0; e, g, i, r, and t are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; and aa and bb are 1. Alternatively, n, o, and p aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; q is 1; and z, cc, and eeare 0. Alternatively, n and q are members independently selected from 0and 1; and o, p, z, cc, and ee are 0. Alternatively, n is 0 or 1; q is1; and o, p, z, cc, and ee are 0. Alternatively, n, o, p, and f aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; q is 1; and z and ee are 0.Alternatively, n, o, p, and q are members independently selected from 0and 1; and z, cc, and ee are 0. Alternatively, n and q are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; and o, p, z, cc, and ee are 0.Alternatively, n, o, p, q, z, cc, and ee are 0.

There is also provided an interferon alpha peptide conjugate formed bythe disclosed method.

The invention also includes a method of forming a conjugate between aninterferon beta peptide and a modifying group, wherein the modifyinggroup is covalently attached to the interferon beta peptide through anintact glycosyl linking group, the interferon beta peptide comprising aglycosyl residue having the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, p, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently        selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 100;    -   v, w, x, and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, mannose or oligomannose; and    -   R′ is H or a glycosyl, modifying group or glycoconjugate group        the method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the interferon beta peptide with a member        selected from a glycosyltransferase and a trans-sialidase and a        modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a        substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the interferon beta peptide        with a sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic        acid from the interferon beta peptide.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

In yet another embodiment, the method also further comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a) contacting the interferon beta peptide        with a combination of a glycosidase and a sialidase.

In an additional embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the interferon beta peptide        with an endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a        glycosyl moiety from the interferon beta peptide.

Also, the method further comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a), contacting the interferon beta peptide        with N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the interferon beta        peptide.

Additionally, the method also further comprises:

-   -   (g) prior to step (a), contacting the interferon beta peptide        with a galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer galactose to the product.

In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (b), contacting the interferon beta peptide        with endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a        glycosyl moiety from the interferon beta peptide.

In yet a further embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (i) prior to step (a), contacting the interferon beta peptide        with a mannosidase under conditions appropriate to remove        mannose from the interferon beta peptide.

In addition, the method further comprises:

-   -   (j) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the beta interferon peptideformula disclosed above, h is a member independently selected from theintegers between 1 and 3; a, b, c, d, e, f, g, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t,and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1; n, v, w, x, and yare 0; and q, p are 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n,s, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; e, g, i, r, and t are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; and q, p are 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f,g, h, j, k, l, m, n, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; q, p are 1; and iis independently selected from 0 and 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f,g, h, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, u, V, W, X, and y are 0; and p, q are 1.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, and n are 0; q, pare 1; and r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, r, s, t, and uare members independently selected from 0 and 1; j, k, l, m, n, v, w, x,and y are 0; and q, p are 1. Alternatively, wherein a, b, c, d, h, j, k,l, m, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1; e,f, g, are members selected from the integers between 0 and 3; n, v, w,x, and y are 0; and q, p are 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l,m, r, s, t, u, p and q are members independently selected from 0 and 1;e, f, g, and h are 1; and n, v, w, x, and y are 0.

Further included is an interferon beta peptide conjugate formed by theabove-described method.

The invention also provides a method of forming a conjugate between aFactor VIIa peptide and a modifying group, wherein the modifying groupis covalently attached to the Factor VIIa peptide through an intactglycosyl linking group, the Factor VIIa peptide comprising a glycosylresidue having a formula which is a member selected from:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, o, p, q, r, s, t, and u, are members        independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, h and n are members independently selected from the        integers from 0 to 6;    -   j, k, l and m are members independently selected from the        integers from 0 to 20;    -   v, w, x and y are 0; and    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose, an oligomannose,        SialylLewis^(x) or SialylLewis^(a).

The method comprises:

-   -   (a) contacting the Factor VIIa peptide with a        glycosyltransferase and a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a        glycosyl moiety which is a substrate for the glycosyltransferase        covalently bound to the modifying group, under conditions        appropriate for the formation of the intact glycosyl linking        group.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the Factor VIIa peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the Factor VIIa peptide.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) prior to step (a), contacting the Factor VIIa peptide with a        galactosidase under conditions appropriate to remove galactose        from the Factor VIIa peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the Factor VIIa peptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the Factor VIIa        peptide.

In an additional embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments, and referring to the Factor VIIa peptideformula disclosed above, a, b, c, d, e, g, i, j, l, o, p and q membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; r and t are 1; f, h, k, m, s, u, v,w, x and y are 0; and n is selected from the integers from 0 to 4.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s,t and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1; v, w, x and yare 0; and n is a member selected from the integers from 0 to 4.

In addition, there is included a Factor VIIa peptide conjugate formed bythe method disclosed herein.

The invention additionally provides a method of forming a conjugatebetween a Factor DC peptide and a modifying group, wherein the modifyinggroup is covalently attached to the Factor IX peptide through an intactglycosyl linking group, the Factor IX peptide comprising a glycosylresidue having a formula which is a member selected from:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, bb, cc, dd, ee, ff and gg        are members independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, h and aa are members independently selected from the        integers from 0 to 6;    -   j, k, l and m are members independently selected from the        integers from 0 to 20;    -   v, w, x, y and z are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose. The method        comprises    -   (a) contacting the Factor IX peptide with a glycosyltransferase        and a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety        which is a substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently        bound to the modifying group, under conditions appropriate for        the formation of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the Factor IX peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the Factor IX peptide.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises: (c) contacting theproduct formed in step (a) with a sialyltransferase and a sialic aciddonor under conditions appropriate to transfer sialic acid to theproduct.

Additionally, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) contacting the product from step (b) with a        galactosyltransferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the product.

Moreover, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) contacting the product from step (d) with ST3Gal3 and a        sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (d) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

Also included is the fact that the modifying group is a member selectedfrom a polymer, a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and aglycoconjugate.

In additional embodiments and referring to the Factor IX peptide formuladisclosed above, a, b, c, and d are 1; e, f, g and h are membersindependently selected from the integers from 1 to 4; aa, bb, cc, dd,ee, ff, j, k, l, m, i, n, o, p, q, r, s, t and u are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; and v, w, x, y, z and gg are 0.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, n, q are independently selected from 0 and 1;aa, e, f, g and h are members independently selected from the integersfrom 1 to 4; bb, cc, dd, ee, ff, j, k, l, m, i, o, p, r, s, t and u aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; and v, w, x, y, z and ggare 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, n, bb, cc, dd and ff are 1; e, f, g, hand aa are members independently selected from the integers from 1 to 4;q, ee, i, j, k, l, m, o, p, r, s, t and u are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; and v, w, x, y, z and gg are 0. Alternatively, a,b, c, d and q are 1; e, f, g and h are members independently selectedfrom the integers from 1 to 4; aa, bb, cc, dd, ee, ff, j, k, l, m, i, n,o, p, r, s, t and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1; andv, w, x, y, z and gg are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, q, bb, cc, dd andff are 1; aa, e, f, g and h are members independently selected from theintegers from 1 to 4; ee, i, j, k, l, m, o, p, r, s, t and u are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; and v, w, x, y, z and gg are 0.

Also included is a Factor IX peptide conjugate formed by the abovedisclosed method.

The invention also provides a method of forming a conjugate between afollicle stimulating hormone (FSH) peptide and a modifying group,wherein the modifying group is covalently attached to the FSH peptidethrough an intact glycosyl linking group, the FSH peptide comprising aglycosyl residue having the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently        selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 100;    -   v, w, x, and y are 0; and    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose. The method        comprises:    -   (a) contacting the FSH peptide with a glycosyltransferase and a        modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a        substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the FSH peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the FSH peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the FSH peptide with a        galactosidase under conditions appropriate to remove galactose        from the FSH peptide.

In an additional embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a) contacting the FSH peptide with a        combination of a glycosidase and a sialidase.

In yet a further embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a), contacting the FSH peptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the FSH peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (b), contacting the FSH peptide with an        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the FSH peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a), contacting the FSH peptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the FSH peptide.

In yet another embodiment, the modifying group is a member selected froma polymer, a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and aglycoconjugate.

In additional preferred embodiments and referring to the FSH peptideformula described above, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, q, r, s, t, and uare members independently selected from 0 and 1; e, f, g, and h are 1;and v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, , g, h, i, j, k,l, m, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1;v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, t, h, j, k, l, m, s, u,v, w, x, and y are 0; and e, g, i, q, r, and t are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, t, g, h, j, k, l,and m are 0; i, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y are independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; p is 1; R (branched or linear) is a member selected frommannose and oligomannose. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k,l, m, r, s, t, u, v, w, and y are 0; i is 0 or 1; and q is 1.

Also included is a FSH peptide conjugate formed by the above-describedmethod.

The invention further provides a method of forming a conjugate betweenan erythropoietin (EPO) peptide and a modifying group, wherein themodifying group is covalently attached to the EPO peptide through anintact glycosyl linking group, the EPO peptide comprising a glycosylresidue having a formula which is a member selected from:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, and u are members        independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 4;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 20;    -   v, w, x, y, and z are 0; and    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose. The method        comprises:    -   (a) contacting the EPO peptide with a glycosyltransferase and a        modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a        substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl lining group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the EPO peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the EPO peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the EPO peptide with a        galactosidase operating synthetically under conditions        appropriate to add a galactose to the EPO peptide.

In an additional embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the EPO peptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the EPO peptide.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) contacting the product from step (e) with ST3Gal3 and a        sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

Additionally, the method comprises:

-   -   (g) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

Also, the method comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (a), contacting the EPO peptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the EPO peptide.

In another aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from apolymer, a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and aglycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiment, and referring to the EPO peptide formula above,a, b, c, d, e, f, g, n, and q are 1; h is a member selected from theintegers between 1 and 3; i, j, k, l, m, o, p, r, s, t, and u aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; and, v, W, x, y and z are0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, q, s, u, v, w, x, y, andz are 0; and e, g, i, r, and t are members independently selected from 0and 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q,r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1; and v,w, x, y, and z are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, n, and q are1; h is a member selected from the integers between 1 and 3; i, j, k, l,m, o, p, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1;and v, w, x, y and z are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m,o, p, s, u, v, w, x, y, and z are 0; and e, g, i, n, q, r, and t areindependently selected from 0 and 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j,k, l, m, n, o, p, s, u, v, w, x, y, and z are 0; and e, g, i, q, r, andt are members independently selected from 0 and 1. Alternatively, q is1; a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, n, r, s, t, and u are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; and j, k, l, m, o, p, V, W, X, y,and z are 0.

Also included is an EPO peptide conjugate formed by the above-describedmethod.

The invention further provides a method of forming a conjugate between agranulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) peptide and amodifying group, wherein the modifying group is covalently attached tothe GM-CSF peptide through an intact glycosyl linking group, the GM-CSFpeptide comprising a glycosyl residue having a formula selected from:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, aa, bb, and cc are        members independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 100;    -   v, w, x, and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, mannose or oligomannose; and    -   R′ is H or a glycosyl residue, or a modifying group or a        glycoconjugate. The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the GM-CSF peptide with a glycosyltransferase and        a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is        a substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the GM-CSF peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the GM-CSF peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a) contacting the GM-CSF peptide with a        combination of a glycosidase and a sialidase.

In an additional embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the GM-CSF peptide with an        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the GM-CSF peptide.

Also, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a), contacting the GM-CSF peptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the GM-CSF peptide.

Additionally, the method comprises:

-   -   (g) prior to step (a) contacting the GM-CSF peptide with a        mannosidase under conditions appropriate to cleave a mannose        residue from the GM-CSF peptide.

Further, the method comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (a), contacting the GM-CSF peptide with        ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to        transfer sialic acid to the product.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In additional preferred embodiments and referring to the GM-CSF peptideformula described above, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, o, p, q, r, s, t, u,and aa are members independently selected from 0 and 1; bb, e, f, g, h,and n are 1; and cc, v, w, x, y, and z are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d,i, j, k, l, m, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, and aa are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; bb, e, f, g, h, and n are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; and cc, v, w, x, y, and z are 0. Alternatively,cc, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, o, p, s, u, v, w, x, y, and z are 0;and e, g, i, n, q, r, t, and aa are members independently selected from0 and 1; and bb is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l,m, n, o, p, z and cc are 0; q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and aa aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; bb is 1; and R is mannoseor oligomannose. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m,o, q, r, s, t, u, aa, and bb are members independently selected from 0and 1; and n, p, v, w, x, y, z, and cc are 0.

Further included is a GM-CSF peptide conjugate formed by theabove-described method.

The invention also includes a method of forming a conjugate between aninterferon gamma peptide and a modifying group, wherein the modifyinggroup is covalently attached to the interferon gamma peptide through anintact glycosyl linking group, the interferon gamma peptide comprising aglycosyl residue having the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, p, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently        selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 100;    -   v, w, x, and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, mannose or oligomannose; and    -   R′ is H or a glycosyl residue, a glycoconjugate, or a modifying        group.

The method comprises:

-   -   (a) contacting the interferon gamma peptide with a member        selected from a glycosyltransferase and a galactosidase        operating synthetically and a modified glycosyl donor,        comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a substrate for the        glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the modifying group,        under conditions appropriate for the formation of the intact        glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the interferon gamma peptide        with a sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic        acid from the interferon gamma peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

In an additional embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a) contacting the interferon gamma peptide        with a combination of a glycosidase and a sialidase.

The method also comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the interferon gamma peptide        with an endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a        glycosyl moiety from the interferon gamma peptide.

Additionally, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a), contacting the interferon gamma peptide        with N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the interferon        gamma peptide.

Also, the method comprises:

-   -   (g) prior to step (a), contacting the interferon gamma peptide        with a galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer galactose to the product.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (h) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In another aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from apolymer, a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and aglycoconjugate.

Additional preferred embodiments include, referring to the interferongamma interferon peptide formula above, where a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m,q, p, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1; e,f, g, and h are 1; and n, v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c,d, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from0 and 1; p, q, e, f, g, and h are 1; and n, v, w, x, and y are 0.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n, s, u, v, w, x, and y are0; and e, g, i, q, r, and t are members independently selected from 0and 1; and p is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m,and n are 0; q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; and p is 1; and R is mannose or oligomannose.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, q, r, s, t, and u are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; e, f g, h, and p are 1; and n, v,w, x, and y are 0.

Further included is an interferon gamma peptide conjugate formed by theabove-described method.

The invention further includes a method of forming a conjugate betweenan alpha 1 protease inhibitor (A-1-PI) peptide and a modifying group,wherein the modifying group is covalently attached to the A-1-PI peptidethrough an intact glycosyl linking group, the A-1-PI peptide comprisinga glycosyl residue having the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, p, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently        selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 100;    -   v, w, x, and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, mannose and oligomannose; and    -   R′ is H or a glycosyl residue, a glycoconjugate, or a modifying        group.

The method comprises:

-   -   (a) contacting the A-1-PI peptide with a glycosyltransferase and        a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is        a substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the A-1-PI peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the A-1-PI peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl lining group and the moiety.

The method also comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a) contacting the A-1-PI peptide with a        combination of a glycosidase and a sialidase.

In addition, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the A-1-PI peptide with an        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the A-1-PI peptide.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a), contacting the A-1-PI peptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the A-1-PI peptide.

Additionally, the method comprises:

-   -   (g) prior to step (a), contacting the A-1-PI peptide with a        mannosidase under conditions appropriate to remove mannose from        the A-1-PI peptide.

Further, the method comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (a), contacting the A-1-PI peptide with a        member selected from a mannosidase, a xylosidase, a        hexosaminidase and combinations thereof under conditions        appropriate to remove a glycosyl residue from the A-1-PI        peptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In other preferred embodiments and referring to the A-1-PI peptideformula above, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, q, r, s, t, and u are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; and e, f g, and h are 1; and n, v,w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m,q, r, s, t and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1; and n,v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n, s,u, v, w, x, and y are 0; and e, g, i, q, r, and t are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1. Alternatively, n, a, b, c, d, e, f,g, h, i, j, k, l, and m are 0; q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y areamembers independently selected from 0 and 1; and p is 1. Alternatively,a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, p, and q are 0; r, s, t, u, v,w, x, and y are members independently selected from 0 and 1.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, and u aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; p, v, w, x, and y are 0;and n and q are 1.

There is also provided an alpha 1 protease inhibitor peptide conjugateformed by the above-described method.

Also included in the invention is a method of forming a conjugatebetween a beta glucosidase peptide and a modifying group, wherein themodifying group is covalently attached to the beta glucosidase peptidethrough an intact glycosyl linking group, the beta glucosidase peptidecomprising a glycosyl residue having the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, p, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently        selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 100; and    -   v, w, x, and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose; and    -   R′ is H or a glycosyl residue, a glycoconjugate, or a modifying        group.

The method comprises:

-   -   (a) contacting the beta glucosidase peptide with a        glycosyltransferase and a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a        glycosyl moiety which is a substrate for the glycosyltransferase        covalently bound to the modifying group, under conditions        appropriate for the formation of the intact glycosyl linking        group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the beta glucosidase peptide        with a sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic        acid from the beta glucosidase peptide.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a) contacting the beta glucosidase peptide        with a combination of a glycosidase and a sialidase.

In an additional embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the beta glucosidase peptide        with an endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a        glycosyl moiety from the beta glucosidase peptide.

Additionally, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a), contacting the beta glucosidase peptide        with N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the beta        glucosidase peptide.

Further, the method comprises:

-   -   (g) prior to step (a), contacting the beta glucosidase peptide        with a galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer galactose to the product.

In another aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from apolymer, a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and aglycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the beta glucosidase peptideformula described above, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, q, r, s, t, and uare members independently selected from 0 and 1; p, e, f, g, and h are1; and n, v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h,i, j, k, l, m, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from0 and 1; and n, v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h,j, k, l, m, n, s, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; e, g, i, q, r, and t aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; and p is 1. or, n, a, b, c,d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, and m are 0; q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and yare members independently selected from 0 and 1; p is 1; and R ismannose or oligomannose.

The invention also includes a beta glucosidase peptide conjugate formedby the above described method.

The invention further provides a method of forming a conjugate between atissue plasminogen activator (TPA) peptide and a modifying group,wherein the modifying group is covalently attached to the TPA peptidethrough an intact glycosyl linking group, the TPA peptide having aglycosyl subunit comprising the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x and y are members        independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers from 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers from 0 and 100;    -   R is a modifying group, mannose or oligomannose;    -   R′ is H or a glycosyl residue, a glycoconjugate, or a modifying        group; and    -   R″ is a glycosyl group, a glycoconjugate or a modifying group.        The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the TPA peptide with a member selected from a        glycosyltransferase and a glycosidase operating synthetically        and a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety        which is a substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently        bound to the modifying group, under conditions appropriate for        the formation of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the TPA peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the TPA peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the TPA peptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the TPA peptide.

In an additional embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a) contacting the TPA peptide with a        combination of a glycosidase and a sialidase.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (g) prior to step (a), contacting the TPA peptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the TPA peptide.

In addition, the method comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (a), contacting the TPA peptide with an        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the TPA peptide.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (i) prior to step (a), contacting the TPA peptide with a member        selected from a mannosidase, a xylosidase, a hexosaminidase and        combinations thereof under conditions appropriate to remove a        glycosyl residue from the TPA peptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the TPA peptide formuladescribed above, a, b, c, d are 1; e, f, g and h are members selectedfrom the integers between 1 and 3; i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, and u aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; and n, o, v, w, x, and yare 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n, o, s, u, v, w, x,and y are 0; e, g, i, r, and t are members independently selected from 0and 1; and q and p are 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j,k, l, m, p, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from 0and 1; and n, o, v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f,g, and p are 1; h is a member selected from the integers between 1 and3; j, k, l, m, i, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; and n, o, v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d,f, h, j, k, l, m, n, s, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; e, g, i, q, r, and tare members independently selected from 0 and 1; o is 1; and R″ isxylose. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, q, r, s, t, and u aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; e, f, g, and h are 1; andn, o, v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k,l, m, n, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; i and q are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; and p is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c,d, e, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, o, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; i and qare members independently selected from 0 and 1; p is 0; and n is 1.

Also included is a TPA peptide conjugate formed by the above describedmethod.

The invention also provides a method of forming a conjugate between aninterleukin 2 (IL-2) peptide and a modifying group, wherein themodifying group is covalently attached to the IL-2 peptide through anintact glycosyl linking group, the IL-2 peptide comprising a glycosylresidue having the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, and e are members independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   d is 0; and    -   R is a modifying group. The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the IL-2 peptide with a glycosyltransferase and a        modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a        substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the IL-2 peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the IL-2 peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) prior to step (a), contacting the IL-2 peptide with an        endo-N-acetylgalactosaminidase operating synthetically under        conditions appropriate to add a GalNAc to the IL-2 peptide.

In yet an additional embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

Further, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the IL-2 peptide with        N-acetylgalactosamine transferase and a GalNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GalNAc to the IL-2 peptide.

In addition, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a) contacting the IL-2 peptide with        galactosyltransferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer galactose to the IL-2 peptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the IL-2 peptide formuladescribed above, a and e are members independently selected from 0 and1; and b, c, and d are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, and e are 0.

The invention additionally includes an IL-2 peptide conjugate formed bythe above described method.

Also included in the invention is a method of forming a conjugatebetween a Factor VIII peptide and a modifying group, wherein themodifying group is covalently attached to the glycopeptide through anintact glycosyl linking group, the glycopeptide comprising a glycosylresidue having a formula which is a member selected from:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, aa, cc, and dd are        members independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 20;    -   v, w, x, y and z are 0; and    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose;    -   R′ is a member selected from H, a glycosyl residue, a modifying        group and a glycoconjugate. The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the glycopeptide with a glycosyltransferase and a        modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a        substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the glycopeptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In an additional embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the glycopeptide.

Also, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

Further, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the glycopeptide.

In addition, the method comprises:

-   -   (g) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the glycopeptide.

The method also comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with ST3Gal3        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

Moreover, the method comprises:

-   -   (i) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        mannosidase under conditions appropriate to remove mannose from        the glycopeptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the Factor VIII peptideformula described above, e, f, g, and h are members independentlyselected from the integers between 1 and 4; a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m,n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, aa, and cc are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; and v, w, x, y, z, and dd are 0.

There is also provided a Factor VIII peptide conjugate formed by theabove described method.

Further provided in the invention is a method of forming a conjugatebetween a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha receptor/IgG fusion peptideand a modifying group, wherein the modifying group is covalentlyattached to the glycopeptide through an intact glycosyl linking group,the glycopeptide comprising a glycosyl residue having the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, q, r, s, t, u, w, ww, and z are        members independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 4;    -   n, v, x, and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose; and    -   R′ is a member selected from H, a glycosyl residue, a modifying        group and a glycoconjugate. The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the glycopeptide with a glycosyltransferase and a        modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a        substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the glycopeptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the glycopeptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the TNF alpha receptor/IgGfusion peptide formula presented above, a, c, i, j, and 1 are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; e, g, q, r, t, and z are 1; and b,d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n, s, u, v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, e, g,i, r, and t are members independently selected from 0 and 1; a, b, c, d,f, h, j, k, l, m, n, s, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; and q and z are 1.

There is also provided a TNF alpha receptor/IgG fusion peptide conjugateformed by the above described method.

The invention also includes a method of forming a conjugate between aurokinase peptide and a modifying group, wherein the modifying group iscovalently attached to the urolinase peptide through an intact glycosyllinking group, the urokinase peptide comprising a glycosyl residuehaving the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, p, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently        selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 100;    -   v, w, x, and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose; and    -   R′ is H or a glycosyl residue, a glycoconjugate, or a modifying        group.

The method comprises:

-   -   (a) contacting the urokinase peptide with a glycosyltransferase        and a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety        which is a substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently        bound to the modifying group, under conditions appropriate for        the formation of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the urolinase peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the uroidnase peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the urokinase peptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the urokinase peptide.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a) contacting the urokinase peptide with a        combination of a glycosidase and a sialidase.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

Additionally, the method comprises:

-   -   (g) prior to step (a), contacting the urokinase peptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the urokinase        peptide.

Further, the method comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (a), contacting the urokinase peptide with an        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the urokinase peptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the urokinase peptide formuladescribed above, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, q, r, s, t, and u aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; e, f, g, and h are 1; v, w,x, and y are 0; and p is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j,k, l, m, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from 0 and1; n, v, w, x, and y are 0; and p is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h,j, k, l, m, n, s, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; and e, g, i, q, r, and t aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; and p is 1. Alternatively,a, b, c, d, e, t, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, r, s, t, u, v, w, x and y are 0;i is 0 or 1; and q and p are 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l,m, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1; e,f, g, and h are independently selected from 0, 1 ,2, 3 and 4; and n, v,w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m,o, r, s, t, u, v, w, x and y are 0; q is 1; and n is 0 or 1.

Also provided is a urokinase peptide conjugate formed by the abovedescribed method.

The invention also includes a method of forming a conjugate between ananti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa monoclonal antibody peptide and a modifyinggroup, wherein the modifying group is covalently attached to theglycopeptide through an intact glycosyl linking group, the glycopeptidecomprising a glycosyl residue having a formula which is a memberselected from:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, u, z, aa, bb, cc, and ee are        members independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers from 0 and 4;    -   n, v, w, x, y, and dd are 0;    -   R is a modifying group a mannose or an oligomannose; and    -   R′ is a member selected from H, a glycosyl residue, a modifying        group and a glycoconjugate. The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the glycopeptide with a glycosyltransferase and a        modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a        substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the glycopeptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        galactosidase operating synthetically under conditions        appropriate to add a galactose to the glycopeptide.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the glycopeptide.

In addition, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) contacting the product from step (e) with ST3Gal3 and a        sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

Further, the method comprises:

-   -   (g) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

Also, the method comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the glycopeptide.

Moreover, the method comprises:

-   -   (i) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the glycopeptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIamonoclonal antibody peptide formula described above, a, b, c, d, e, f,g, h, i, j, k, l, m r, s, t, and u are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; n, v, w, x, and y are 0; and z is 1. Alternatively, a, b,c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; i and rare members independently selected from 0 and 1; and z is 1.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, and n are 0; r, s,t, u, v, w, x, and y are members independently selected from 0 and 1;and z is 1. Alternatively, aa, bb, cc, and ee are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; and dd is 0. Alternatively, aa and ee are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; and bb, cc, and dd are 0.Alternatively, aa, bb, cc, dd, and ee are 0.

Also provided is an anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa monoclonal antibodypeptide conjugate formed by the above described method.

There is further provided in the invention a method of forming aconjugate between a chimeric anti-HER2 antibody peptide and a modifyinggroup, wherein the modifying group is covalently attached to thechimeric anti-HER2 antibody peptide through an intact glycosyl linkinggroup, the chimeric anti-HER2 antibody peptide comprising a glycosylresidue having the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, q, r, s, t, u, and z are members        independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 4;    -   n, v, w, x, and y are 0;    -   m is 0-20;    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose; and    -   R′ is a member selected from hydrogen and a glycosyl residue,        and a modifying group the method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the chimeric anti-HER2 antibody peptide with a        glycosyltransferase and a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a        glycosyl moiety which is a substrate for the glycosyltransferase        covalently bound to the modifying group, under conditions        appropriate for the formation of the intact glycosyl linking        group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the chimeric anti-HER2        antibody peptide with a galactosyl transferase and a galactose        donor under conditions appropriate to transfer the galactose to        the chimeric anti-HER2 antibody peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) prior to step (a), contacting the chimeric anti-HER2        antibody peptide with endoglycanase under conditions appropriate        to cleave a glycosyl moiety from the chimeric anti-HER2 antibody        peptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the anti-HER2 antibody peptideformula described above, a, c, and i are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; e, g, r, and t are 1; b, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n, s, u, v,w, x, and y are 0; and q and z are 1. Alternatively, i is 0 or 1; q andz are 1; and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, r, s, t, u, v, w, x,and y are 0. Alternatively, e, g, i, r, and t are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n, s, u, v, w, x,and y are 0; and q and z are 1.

Also provided is an anti-HER2 antibody peptide conjugate formed by theabove described method.

The invention further provides method of forming a conjugate between ananti-RSV F peptide and a modifying group, wherein the modifying group iscovalently attached to the anti-RSV F peptide through an intact glycosyllinking group, the anti-RSV F peptide comprising a glycosyl residuehaving the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, p, q, r, s, t, u, and z are members        independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g and h are members independently selected from the        integers from 0 to 4;    -   n, v, w, x and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose; and    -   R′ is a member selected from H and a glycosyl residue, a        glycoconjugate, and a modifying group. The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the anti-RSV F peptide with a glycosyltransferase        and a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety        which is a substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently        bound to the modifying group, under conditions appropriate for        the formation of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the anti-RSV F peptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the anti-RSV F peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) prior to step (b), contacting the anti-RSV F peptide with        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the anti-RSV F peptide.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the anti-RSV F peptide formulapresented above, a, c, e, g and i are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; r and t are 1; b, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n, s, u, v, w, xand y are 0; and z is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, l,m, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y are 0; i and p are independently selected from0 or 1; q and z are 1; and n is 0. Alternatively, e, g, i, r and t aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l,m, n, s, u, v, w, x and y are 0; and q and z are 1.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

Also provided is an anti RSV F peptide conjugate formed by the abovedescribed method.

Also included in the invention is a method of forming a conjugatebetween an anti-CD20 antibody peptide and a modifying group, wherein themodifying group is covalently attached to the anti-CD20 antibody peptidethrough an intact glycosyl linking group, the anti-CD20 antibody peptidehaving a glycosyl subunit comprising the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, q, r, s, t, u and z are integers        independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are independently selected-from the integers from        0 to 4;    -   n, v, w, x, and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose; and    -   R′ is a member selected from H, a glycosyl residue, a        glycoconjugate or a modifying group. The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the anti-CD20 antibody peptide with a        glycosyltransferase and a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a        glycosyl moiety which is a substrate for the glycosyltransferase        covalently bound to the modifying group, under conditions        appropriate for the formation of the intact glycosyl linking        group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the anti-CD20 antibody peptide        with a galactosyltrrnsferase and a galactosyl donor under        conditions appropriate for the transfer of the galactosyl donor        to the anti-CD20 antibody peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) prior to step (b), contacting the anti-CD20 antibody peptide        with endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a        glycosyl moiety from the anti-CD20 antibody peptide.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the anti-CD20 antibody peptide        with a mannosidase under conditions appropriate to remove        mannose from the anti-CD20 antibody peptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In another aspect, the glycosyltransferase is galactosyltransferase andthe modified glycosyl donor is a modified galactosyl donor.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the anti-CD20 peptide formulapresented above, a, c, e, g and i are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; r, t, q and z are 1; and b, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n, s, u,v, w, x and y are 0. Alternatively, a, c, e, g, i, q, r, and t aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; b, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, s,u, v, w, x, y are 0; and z is 1. Alternatively, e, g, i, q, r, and t aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l,m, n, s, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; and z is 1. Alternatively, i is 0 or1; q and z are 1; and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, r, s, t, u,v, w, x and y are 0. Alternatively, e, g, i, r, t, v, x and z aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l,m, n, s, u, w and y are 0; and z is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, fg, h, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, u, v, w, x and y are 0; n and q are 1; and iis 0 or 1.

Also included is an anti-CD20 antibody peptide conjugate formed by theabove-described method.

The invention additionally provides a method of forming a conjugatebetween a recombinant DNase peptide and a modifying group, wherein themodifying group is covalently attached to the recombinant DNase peptidethrough an intact glycosyl linking group, the recombinant DNase peptidecomprising a glycosyl residue having the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, p q, r, s, t, and u are members independently        selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 100;    -   v, w, x, and y are 0; and    -   R is a member selected from polymer, a glycoconjugate, a        mannose, an oligomannose and a modifying group. The method        comprises:    -   (a) contacting the recombinant DNase peptide with a        glycosyltransferase and a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a        glycosyl moiety which is a substrate for the glycosyltransferase        covalently bound to the modifying group, under conditions        appropriate for the formation of the intact glycosyl linking        group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the recombinant DNase peptide        with a sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic        acid from the recombinant DNase peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In an additional embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the recombinant DNase peptide        with a galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer the galactose to the        recombinant DNase peptide.

In yet a further embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a) contacting the recombinant DNase peptide        with a combination of a glycosidase and a sialidase.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

The method also comprises:

-   -   (g) prior to step (a), contacting the recombinant DNase peptide        with N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the recombinant        DNase peptide.

In addition, the method comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (a), contacting the recombinant DNase peptide        with an endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a        glycosyl moiety from the recombinant DNase peptide.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the DNase peptide formulapresented above, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, q, r, s, t, and u aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; e, f, g, h and p are 1; andn, v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k,l, m, q, r, s, t, and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1;p is 1; and n, v, w, x, and y are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j,k, l, m, s, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; and e, g, i, q, r, and t aremembers independently selected from 0 and 1; and p is 1. Alternatively,a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y are 0;i is 0 or 1; and p is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, land m are 0; i, q, r, s, t, u, v, x and y are independently selectedfrom 0 or 1; p is 1; and R is mannose or oligomannose.

Also provided is a recombinant DNase peptide conjugate formed by theabove described method.

The invention additionally includes a method of forming a conjugatebetween an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha peptide and amodifying group, wherein the modifying group is covalently attached tothe anti-TNF alpha peptide through an intact glycosyl linking group, theanti-TNF alpha peptide comprising a glycosyl residue having the formula:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u and z are members        independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 20;    -   n, v, w, x and y are 0; and    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose;    -   R′ is a glycoconjugate or a modifying group. The method        comprises:    -   (a) contacting the anti-TNF alpha peptide with a        glycosyltransferase and a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a        glycosyl moiety which is a substrate for the glycosyltransferase        covalently bound to the modifying group, under conditions        appropriate for the formation of the intact glycosyl linking        group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the anti-TNF alpha peptide        with a galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer the galactose to the anti-TNF        alpha peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) prior to step (a), contacting the anti-TNF alpha peptide        with endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a        glycosyl moiety from the anti-TNF alpha peptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the anti-TNF alpha peptideformula presented above, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, o, p, q,r, s, t and u are members independently selected from 0 and 1; n is 1;and v, w, x, y, and z are 0. Alternatively, a, c, e, g and i are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; r and t are 1; b, d, f, h, j, k, l,m, n, s, u, v, w, x and y; and q and z are 1.

Also included is an anti-TNF alpha peptide conjugate formed by the abovedescribed method.

The invention also provides a method of forming a conjugate between aninsulin peptide and a modifying group, wherein the modifying group iscovalently attached to the glycopeptide through an intact glycosyllinking group, the glycopeptide comprising a glycosyl residue having aformula which is a member selected from:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, u, z, aa, bb, cc, and ee are        members independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integer between 0 and 4;    -   dd, n, v, w, x and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose; and    -   R′ is a member selected from H, a glycosyl residue, a modifying        group and a glycoconjugate. The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the glycopeptide with a glycosyltransferase and a        modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a        substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the glycopeptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the glycopeptide.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the glycopeptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety and a glycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the insulin peptide formulapresented above, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, and uare members independently selected from 0 and 1; n, v, w, x, and y are0; and z is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, s,t, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; i and r are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; and z is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j,k, l, m, and n are 0; r, s, t, u, v, w, x, and y are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; and z is 1. Alternatively, aa, bb,cc, and ee are members independently selected from 0 and 1; and dd is 0.Alternatively, aa and ee are members independently selected from 0 and1; and bb, cc, and dd are 0. Alternatively, aa, bb, cc, dd, and ee are0.

The invention further includes an insulin peptide conjugate formed bythe above described method.

In addition, there is provided in the invention a method of forming aconjugate between a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) peptide and amodifying group, wherein the modifying group is covalently attached tothe HBsAg peptide through an intact glycosyl linking group, the HBsAgpeptide comprising a glycosyl residue having a formula which is a memberselected from:

wherein

-   -   aa, bb, a, b, c, d, i, n, q, r, s, t, and u are members        independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 6;    -   o, p, j, k, l, and m are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 100;    -   cc, v, w, x, and y are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose; and    -   R′ is H or a glycosyl residue, a glycoconjugate, or a modifying        group.

The method comprises:

-   -   (a) contacting the HBsAg peptide with a glycosyltransferase and        a modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is        a substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the HBsAg peptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the HBsAg peptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the HBsAg peptide with a        galactosidase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        residue from the HBsAg peptide.

The method also comprises:

-   -   (e) prior to step (a), contacting the HBsAg peptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the HBsAg peptide.

In addition, the method comprises:

-   -   (f) contacting the product of step (d) with ST3Gal3 and a sialic        acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer sialic acid        to the product.

Also, the method comprises:

-   -   (g) contacting the product from step (a) with a moiety that        reacts with the modifying group, thereby forming a conjugate        between the intact glycosyl linking group and the moiety.

Also, the method comprises:

-   -   (h) prior to step (a), contacting the HBsAg peptide with        N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a GlcNAc donor under        conditions appropriate to transfer GlcNAc to the HBsAg peptide.

In addition, the method comprises:

-   -   (i) prior to step (a), contacting the HBsAg peptide with a        mannosidase under conditions appropriate to cleave mannose from        the HBsAg peptide.

Also, the method comprises:

-   -   (j) prior to step (a), contacting the HBsAg peptide with        endoglycanase under conditions sufficient to cleave a glycosyl        group from the HBsAg peptide.

In one aspect, the modifying group is a member selected from a polymer,a toxin, a radioisotope, a therapeutic moiety, an adjuvant and aglycoconjugate.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the HBsAg peptide formulapresented above, a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, and aaare members independently selected from 0 and 1; bb, e, f, g, h, and nare 1; and cc, v, w, x, y, and z are 0. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, i, j,k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, and aa are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; e, f, g, and h are independently selected from 0,1, 2, 3, or 4; cc, v, w, x, y, and z are 0; and bb is 1. Alternatively,cc, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, v, w, x, y and z are0; and q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and aa are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; and bb is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, i, j, k,l, m, o, q, r, s, t, u, and aa are members independently selected from 0and 1; bb, e, f, g, h, and n are 1; and n, p cc, v, w, x, y, and z are0. Alternatively, bb, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, o, p, q, r,s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and z are members independently selected from 0 and1; cc is 1; and n is 0 or 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, l,m, o, p, s, u, v, w, x, y, z, and cc are 0; bb is 1; e, g, i, n, q, r,t, and aa are members independently selected from 0 and 1.Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, z, and ccare 0; q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and aa are members independentlyselected from 0 and 1; and bb is 1.

Also included is a HBsAg peptide conjugate formed by the above describedmethod.

The invention further provides a method of forming a conjugate between ahuman growth hormone (HGH) peptide and a modifying group, wherein themodifying group is covalently attached to the glycopeptide through anintact glycosyl linking group, the glycopeptide comprising a glycosylresidue having a formula which is a member selected from:

wherein

-   -   a, b, c, d, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, u, z, aa, bb, cc, and ee are        members independently selected from 0 and 1;    -   e, f, g, and h are members independently selected from the        integers between 0 and 4;    -   n, v, w, x, y, and dd are 0;    -   R is a modifying group, a mannose or an oligomannose; and    -   R′ is a member selected from H, a glycosyl residue, a modifying        group and a glycoconjugate. The method comprises:    -   (a) contacting the glycopeptide with a glycosyltransferase and a        modified glycosyl donor, comprising a glycosyl moiety which is a        substrate for the glycosyltransferase covalently bound to the        modifying group, under conditions appropriate for the formation        of the intact glycosyl linking group.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (b) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        sialidase under conditions appropriate to remove sialic acid        from the glycopeptide.

In one embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with        endoglycanase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        moiety from the glycopeptide.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (c) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        galactosyl transferase and a galactose donor under conditions        appropriate to transfer the galactose to the glycopeptide.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) contacting the product of step (a) with a sialyltransferase        and a sialic acid donor under conditions appropriate to transfer        sialic acid to the product.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises:

-   -   (d) prior to step (a), contacting the glycopeptide with a        galactosidase under conditions appropriate to cleave a glycosyl        residue from the glycopeptide.

In preferred embodiments and referring to the HGH peptide formulapresented above, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, r, s, t, and uare members independently selected from 0 and 1; n, v, w, x, and y are0; and z is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, s,t, u, v, w, x, and y are 0; i and r are members independently selectedfrom 0 and 1; and z is 1. Alternatively, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j,k, l, m, and n are 0; r, s, t, u, v, w, x and y are membersindependently selected from 0 and 1; and z is 1. Alternatively, aa andee are members independently selected from 0 and 1; and bb, cc, and ddare 0. Alternatively, aa, bb, cc, dd, and ee are 0. Alternatively, aa,bb, cc, dd, ee, and n are 0.

Also included is a HGH peptide conjugate formed by the above describedmethod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are depicted in thedrawings certain embodiments of the invention. However, the invention isnot limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of theembodiments depicted in the drawings.

FIG. 1, comprising FIG. 1A to FIG. 1Z and FIG. 1AA to FIG. 1CC, is alist of peptides useful in the methods of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a scheme depicting a trimannosyl core glycan (left side) andthe enzymatic process for the generation of a glycan having a bisectingGlcNAc (right side).

FIG. 3 is a scheme depicting an elemental trimannosyl core structure andcomplex chains in various degrees of completion. The in vitro enzymaticgeneration of an elemental trimannosyl core structure from a complexcarbohydrate glycan structure which does not contain a bisecting GlcNAcresidue is shown as is the generation of a glycan structure therefromwhich contains a bisecting GlcNAc. Symbols: squares: GlcNAc; lightcircles: Man; dark circles: Gal; triangles: NeuAc.

FIG. 4 is a scheme for the enzymatic generation of a sialylated glycanstructure (right side) beginning with a glycan having a trimannosyl coreand a bisecting GlcNAc (left side).

FIG. 5 is a scheme of a typical high mannose containing glycan structure(left side) and the enzymatic process for reduction of this structure toan elemental trimannosyl core structure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a fucose and xylose containing N-linked glycanstructure typically produced in plant cells.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a fucose containing N-linked glycan structuretypically produced in insect cells.

FIG. 8 is a scheme depicting a variety of pathways for the trimming of ahigh mannose structure and the synthesis of complex sugar chainstherefrom. Symbols: squares: GlcNAc; circles: Man; diamonds: facose;pentagon: xylose.

FIG. 9 is a scheme depicting in vitro strategies for the synthesis ofcomplex structures from an elemental trimannosyl core structure.Symbols: Dark squares: GlcNAc; light circles: Man; dark circles: Gal;dark triangles: NeuAc; GnT: N-acetyl glucosaminyltransferase; GalT:galactosyltransferase; ST: sialyltransferase.

FIG. 10 is a scheme depicting various complex structures which may besynthesized from an elemental trimannosyl core structure. Symbols: Darksquares: GlcNAc; light circles: Man; dark circles: Gal; dark triangles:NeuAc; dark diamonds: fucose; FT and FucT: fucosyltransferase; GalT:galactosyltransferase; ST: sialyltransferase; Le: Lewis antigen; SLe:sialylated Lewis antigen.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary scheme for preparing O-linked glycopeptidesoriginating with serine or threonine.

FIG. 12 is a series of diagrams depicting the four types of O-glycanstructure, termed cores 1 through 4. The core structure is outlined indotted lines.

FIG. 13, comprising FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, is a series of schemesshowing an exemplary embodiment of the invention in which carbohydrateresidues comprising complex carbohydrate structures and/or high mannosehigh mannose structures are trimmed back to the first generationbiantennary structure. A modified sugar bearing a water soluble polymer(WSP) is then conjugated to one or more of the sugar residues exposed bythe trimming back process.

FIG. 14 is a scheme similar to that shown in FIG. 2, in which a highmannose structure is “trimmed back” to the mannose from which thebiantennary structure branches and a modified sugar bearing a watersoluble polymer is then conjugated to one or more of the sugar residuesexposed by the trimming back process.

FIG. 15 is a scheme similar to that shown in FIG. 2, in which highmannose is trimmed back to the GlcNAc to which the first mannose isattached, and a modified sugar bearing a water soluble polymer is thenconjugated to one or more of the sugar residues exposed by the trimmingback process.

FIG. 16 is a scheme similar to that shown in FIG. 2, in which highmannose is trimmed back to the first GlcNAc attached to the Asn of thepeptide, following which a water soluble polymer is conjugated to one ormore sugar residues which have subsequently added on.

FIG. 17, comprising FIGS. 17A and 17B, is a scheme in which a N-linkedcarbohydrate is trimmed back and subsequently derivatized with amodified sugar moiety (GleNAc) bearing a water-soluble polymer.

FIG. 18, comprising FIGS. 18A and 18B, is a scheme in which a N-linkedcarbohydrate is trimmed back and subsequently derivatized with a sialicacid moiety bearing a water-soluble polymer.

FIG. 19 is a scheme in which a N-linked carbohydrate is trimmed back andsubsequently derivatized with one or more sialic acid moieties, andterminated with a sialic acid derivatized with a water-soluble polymer.

FIG. 20 is a scheme in which an O-linked saccharide is “trimmed back”and subsequently conjugated to a modified sugar bearing a water solublepolymer. In the exemplary scheme, the carbohydrate moiety is “trimmedback” to the first generation of the biantennary structure.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary scheme for trimming back the carbohydrate moietyof an O-linked glycopeptide to produce a mannose available forconjugation with a modified sugar having a water-soluble polymerattached thereto.

FIG. 22, comprising FIG. 22A to FIG. 22C, is a series of exemplaryschemes. FIG. 22A is a scheme that illustrates addition of a PEGylatedsugar, followed by the addition of a non-modified sugar. FIG. 22B is ascheme that illustrates the addition of more that one kind of modifiedsugar onto on one glycan. FIG. 22C is a scheme that illustrates theaddition of different modified sugars onto O-linked glycans and N-linkedglycans.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of various methods of improving the therapeuticfunction of a peptide by glycan remodeling, including conjugation.

FIG. 24 is a set of schemes for glycan remodeling of a therapeuticpeptide to treat Gaucher's Disease.

FIG. 25 is a scheme for glycan remodeling to generate glycans having aterminal mannose-6-phosphate moiety.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating the array of glycan structures foundon CHO-produced glucocerebrosidase (Cerezyme™) after sialylation.

FIG. 27, comprising FIGS. 27A to 27G, provides exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on granulocyte colony stimulating factor(G-CSF). FIG. 27A is a diagram depicting the G-CSF peptide indicatingthe amino acid residue to which a glycan binds, and an exemplary glycanformula bound thereto. FIG. 27B to 27G are diagrams of contemplatedremodeling steps of the glycan of the peptide in FIG. 27A based on thetype of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeledglycan structure.

FIG. 28, comprising FIGS. 28A to 28AA sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on interferon-alpha. FIG. 28A is a diagramdepicting the interferon-alpha isoform 14c peptide indicating the aminoacid residue to which a glycan binds, and an exemplary glycan formulabound thereto. FIG. 28B to 28D are diagrams of contemplated remodelingsteps of the glycan of the peptide in FIG. 28A based on the type of cellthe peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.FIG. 28E is a diagram depicting the interferon-alpha isoform 14c peptideindicating the amino acid residue to which a glycan binds, and anexemplary glycan formula bound thereto. FIG. 28F to 28N are diagrams ofcontemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of the peptide in FIG. 28Ebased on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desiredremodeled glycan structure. FIG. 28O is a diagram depicting theinterferon-alpha isoform 2a or 2b peptides indicating the amino acidresidue to which a glycan binds, and an exemplary glycan formula boundthereto. FIG. 28P to 28W are diagrams of contemplated remodeling stepsof the glycan of the peptide in FIG. 28O based on the type of cell thepeptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure. FIG.28X is a diagram depicting the interferon-alpha-mucin fusion peptidesindicating the residue(s) which binds to glycans contemplated forremodeling, and exemplary glycan formulas bound thereto. FIG. 28Y to28AA are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of thepeptides in FIG. 28X based on the type of cell the peptide is expressedin and the desired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 28BB is a diagramdepicting the interferon-alpha-mucin fusion peptides andinterferon-alpha peptides indicating the residue(s) which bind toglycans contemplated for remodeling, and formulas for the glycans. FIG.28CC to 28EE are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the glycanof the peptides in FIG. 28BB based on the type of cell the peptide isexpressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 29, comprising FIGS. 29A to 29S, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on interferon-beta. FIG. 29A is a diagramdepicting the interferon-beta peptide indicating the amino acid residueto which a glycan binds, and an exemplary glycan formula bound thereto.FIG. 29B to 29O are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of theglycan of the peptide in FIG. 29A based on the type of cell the peptideis expressed in and the desired remodeled glyean structure. FIG. 29P isa diagram depicting the interferon-beta peptide indicating the aminoacid residue to which a glycan binds, and an exemplary glycan formulabound thereto. FIG. 29Q to 29S are diagrams of contemplated remodelingsteps of the glycan of the peptide in FIG. 29P based on the type of cellthe peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 30, comprising FIGS. 30A to 30D, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on Factor VII and Factor VIIa. FIG. 30A isa diagram depicting the Factor-VII and Factor-VIIa peptides A (solidline) and B (dotted line) indicating the residues which bind to glycanscontemplated for remodeling, and the formulas for the glycans. FIG. 30Bto 30D are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the glycan ofthe peptide in FIG. 30A based on the type of cell the peptide isexpressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 31, comprising FIGS. 31A to 31G, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on Factor IX. FIG. 31A is a diagramdepicting the Factor-IX peptide indicating residues which bind toglycans contemplated for remodeling, and formulas of the glycans. FIG.31B to 31G are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the glycanof the peptide in FIG. 31A based on the type of cell the peptide isexpressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 32, comprising FIGS. 32A to 32J, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on follicle stimulating hormone (FSH),comprising α and β subunits. FIG. 32A is a diagram depicting theFollicle Stimulating Hormone peptides FSHα and FSHβ indicating theresidues which bind to glycans contemplated for remodeling, andexemplary glycan formulas bound thereto. FIG. 32B to 32J are diagrams ofcontemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of the peptides in FIG. 32Abased on the type of cell the peptides are expressed in and the desiredremodeled glycan structures.

FIG. 33, comprising FIGS. 33A to 33J, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on Erythropoietin (EPO). FIG. 33A is adiagram depicting the EPO peptide indicating the residues which bind toglycans contemplated for remodeling, and formulas for the glycans. FIG.33B to 33J are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the glycanof the peptide in FIG. 33A based on the type of cell the peptide isexpressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 34, comprising FIGS. 34A to 34K sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on Granulocyte-Macrophage ColonyStimulating Factor (GM-CSF). FIG. 34A is a diagram depicting the GM-CSFpeptide indicating the residues which bind to glycans contemplated forremodeling, and formulas for the glycans. FIG. 34B to 34G are diagramsof contemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of the peptide in FIG.34A based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and thedesired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 34H is a diagram depicting theGM-CSF peptide indicating the residues which bind to glycanscontemplated for remodeling, and formulas for the glycans. FIG. 34I to34K are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of thepeptide in FIG. 34H based on the type of cell the peptide is expressedin and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 35, comprising FIGS. 35A to 35N, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on interferon-gamma. FIG. 35A is a diagramdepicting an interferon-gamma peptide indicating the residues which bindto glycans contemplated for remodeling, and exemplary glycan formulasbound thereto. FIG. 35B to 35G are diagrams of contemplated remodelingsteps of the peptide in FIG. 35A based on the type of cell the peptideis expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 35H isa diagram depicting an interferon-gamma peptide indicating the residueswhich bind to glycans contemplated for remodeling, and exemplary glycanformulas bound thereto. FIG. 35I to 35N are diagrams of contemplatedremodeling steps of the peptide in FIG. 35H based on the type of cellthe peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 36, comprising FIGS. 36A to 36O, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on α₁-antitrypsin (ATT, or α-1 proteaseinhibitor). FIG. 36A is a diagram depicting an AAT peptide indicatingthe residues which bind to glyeans contemplated for remodeling, andexemplary glycan formulas bound thereto. FIG. 36B to 36G are diagrams ofcontemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of the peptide in FIG. 36Abased on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desiredremodeled glycan structure. FIG. 36H is a diagram depicting an AATpeptide indicating the residues which bind to glycans contemplated forremodeling, and exemplary glycan formulas bound thereto. FIG. 36I to 36Kare diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptide in FIG. 36Hbased on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desiredremodeled glycan structure. FIG. 36L is a diagram depicting an AATpeptide indicating the residues which bind to glycans contemplated forremodeling, and exemplary glycan formulas bound thereto. FIG. 36M to 36Oare diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptide in FIG. 36Lbased on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desiredremodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 37, comprising FIGS. 37A to 37K sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on glucocerebrosidase. FIG. 37A is adiagram depicting the glucocerebrosidase peptide indicating the residueswhich bind to glycans contemplated for remodeling, and exemplary glycanformulas bound thereto. FIG. 37B to 37G are diagrams of contemplatedremodeling steps of the glycan of the peptide in FIG. 37A based on thetype of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeledglycan structure. FIG. 37H is a diagram depicting the glucocerebrosidasepeptide indicating the residues which bind to glycans contemplated forremodeling, and exemplary glycan formulas bound thereto. FIG. 37I to 37Kare diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of thepeptide in FIG. 37H based on the type of cell the peptide is expressedin and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 38, comprising FIGS. 38A to 38W, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator (TPA).FIG. 38A is a diagram depicting the TPA peptide indicating the residueswhich bind to glycans contemplated for remodeling, and formulas for theglycans. FIG. 38B to 38G are diagrams of contemplated remodeling stepsof the peptide in FIG. 38A based on the type of cell the peptide isexpressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 38H is adiagram depicting the TPA peptide indicating the residues which bind toglycans contemplated for remodeling, and formulas for the glycans. FIG.38I to 38K are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptidein FIG. 38H based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in andthe desired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 38L is a diagram depictinga mutant TPA peptide indicating the residues which bind to glycanscontemplated for remodeling, and the formula for the glycans. FIG. 38Mto 38O are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptide inFIG. 38L based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and thedesired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 38P is a diagram depicting amutant TPA peptide indicating the residues which bind to glycanscontemplated for remodeling, and formulas for the glycans. FIG. 38Q to38S are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptide in FIG.38P based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and thedesired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 38T is a diagram depicting amutant TPA peptide indicating the residues which binds to glycanscontemplated for remodeling, and formulas for the glycans. FIG. 38U to38W are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptide in FIG.38T based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and thedesired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 39, comprising FIGS. 39A to 39G, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on Interleukin-2 (IL-2). FIG. 39A is adiagram depicting the interleukin-2 peptide indicating the amino acidresidue to which a glycan binds, and an exemplary glycan formula boundthereto. FIG. 39B to 39G are diagrams of contemplated remodeling stepsof the glycan of the peptide in FIG. 39A based on the type of cell thepeptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 40, comprising FIGS. 40A to 40N, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on Factor VIII. FIG. 40A are the formulasfor the glycans that bind to the N-linked glycosylation sites (A and A′)and to the O-linked sites (B) of the Factor VIII peptides. FIG. 40B to40F are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptides inFIG. 40A based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and thedesired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 40G are the formulas for theglycans that bind to the N-linked glycosylation sites (A and A′) and tothe O-linked sites (B) of the Factor VIII peptides. FIG. 40H to 40M arediagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptides in FIG. 40Gbased on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desiredremodeled glycan structures.

FIG. 41, comprising FIGS. 41A to 41M, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on urokinase. FIG. 41A is a diagramdepicting the urolinase peptide indicating a residue which binds to aglycan contemplated for remodeling, and an exemplary glycan formulabound thereto. FIG. 41B to 41G are diagrams of contemplated remodelingsteps of the peptide in FIG. 41A based on the type of cell the peptideis expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 41H isa diagram depicting the urolinase peptide indicating a residue whichbinds to a glycan contemplated for remodeling, and an exemplary glycanformula bound thereto. FIG. 41I to 41M are diagrams of contemplatedremodeling steps of the peptide in FIG. 41H based on the type of cellthe peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 42, comprising FIGS. 42A to 42K, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on human DNase (hDNase). FIG. 42A is adiagram depicting the human DNase peptide indicating the residues whichbind to glycans contemplated for remodeling, and exemplary glycanformulas bound thereto. FIG. 42B to 42G are diagrams of contemplatedremodeling steps of the peptide in FIG. 42A based on the type of cellthe peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.FIG. 42H is a diagram depicting the human DNase peptide indicatingresidues which bind to glycans contemplated for remodeling, andexemplary glycan formulas bound thereto. FIG. 42I to 42K are diagrams ofcontemplated remodeling steps of the peptide in FIG. 42H based on thetype of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeledglycan structure.

FIG. 43, comprising FIGS. 43A to 43L, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on insulin. FIG. 43A is a diagram depictingthe insulin peptide mutated to contain an N glycosylation site and anexemplary glycan formula bound thereto. FIG. 43B to 43D are diagrams ofcontemplated remodeling steps of the peptide in Figure INS A based onthe type of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeledglycan structure. FIG. 43E is a diagram depicting insulin-mucin fusionpeptides indicating a residue(s) which binds to a glycan contemplatedfor remodeling, and an exemplary glycan formula bound thereto. FIG. 43Fto 43H are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptide inFIG. 43E based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and thedesired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 43I is a diagram depicting theinsulin-mucin fusion peptides and insulin peptides indicating aresidue(s) which binds to a glycan contemplated for remodeling, andformulas for the glycan. FIG. 43J to 43L are diagrams of contemplatedremodeling steps of the peptide in FIG. 43I based on the type of cellthe peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 44, comprising FIGS. 44A to 44K, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on the M-antigen (preS and S) of theHepatitis B surface protein (HbsAg). FIG. 44A is a diagram depicting theM-antigen peptide indicating the residues which bind to glycanscontemplated for remodeling, and formulas for the glycans. FIG. 44B to44G are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptide in FIG.44A based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and thedesired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 44H is a diagram depicting theM-antigen peptide indicating the residues which bind to glycanscontemplated for remodeling, and formulas for the glycans. FIG. 44I to44K are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptide in FIG.44H based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and thedesired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 45, comprising FIGS. 45A to 45K, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on human growth hormone, including N, V andvariants thereof. FIG. 45A is a diagram depicting the human growthhormone peptide indicating a residue which binds to a glycancontemplated for remodeling, and an exemplary glycan formula boundthereto. FIG. 45B to 45D are diagrams of contemplated remodeling stepsof the glycan of the peptide in FIG. 45A based on the type of cell thepeptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure. FIG.45E is a diagram depicting the three fusion peptides comprising thehuman growth hormone peptide and part or all of a mucin peptide, andindicating a residue(s) which binds to a glycan contemplated forremodeling, and exemplary glycan formula(s) bound thereto. FIG. 45F to45K are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of thepeptides in FIG. 45E based on the type of cell the peptide is expressedin and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 46, comprising FIGS. 46A to 46G, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on a TNF Receptor-IgG Fc region fusionprotein (Enbrel™). FIG. 46A is a diagram depicting a TNF Receptor-IgG Fcregion fusion peptide which may be mutated to contain additionalN-glycosylation sites indicating the residues which bind to glycanscontemplated for remodeling, and formulas for the glycans. The TNFreceptor peptide is depicted in bold line, and the IgG Fc regions isdepicted in regular line. FIG. 46B to 46G are diagrams of contemplatedremodeling steps of the peptide in FIG. 46A based on the type of cellthe peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 47 provides exemplary schemes for remodeling glycan structures onan anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (Herceptin™). FIG. 47A is a diagramdepicting an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody which has been mutated tocontain an N-glycosylation site(s) indicating a residue(s) on theantibody heavy chain which binds to a glycan contemplated forremodeling, and an exemplary glycan formula bound thereto. FIG. 47B to47D are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of thepeptides in FIG. 47A based on the type of cell the peptide is expressedin and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 48, comprising FIGS. 48A to 48D, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on a monoclonal antibody to Protein F ofRespiratory Syncytial Virus (Synagis™). FIG. 48A is a diagram depictinga monoclonal antibody to Protein F peptide which is mutated to containan N-glycosylation site(s) indicating a residue(s) which binds to aglycan contemplated for remodeling, and an exemplary glycan formulabound thereto. FIG. 48B to 48D are diagrams of contemplated remodelingsteps of the peptide in FIG. 48A based on the type of cell the peptideis expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 49, comprising FIGS. 49A to 49D, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on a monoclonal antibody to TNF-α(Remicade™). FIG. 49A is a diagram depicting a monoclonal antibody toTNF-α which has been mutated to contain an N-glycosylation site(s)indicating a residue which binds to a glycan contemplated forremodeling, and an exemplary glycan formula bound thereto. FIG. 49B to49D are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the peptide in FIG.49A based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and thedesired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 50, comprising FIGS. 50A to 50D, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on a monoclonal antibody to glycoproteinIIb/IIIa (Reopro™). FIG. 50A is a diagram depicting a mutant monoclonalantibody to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa peptides which have been mutated tocontain an N-glycosylation site(s) indicating the residue(s) which bindto glycans contemplated for remodeling, and exemplary glycan formulasbound thereto. FIG. 50B to 50D are diagrams of contemplated remodelingsteps based on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and thedesired remodeled glycan structure. FIG. 50E is a diagram depictingmonoclonal antibody to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa-mucin fusion peptidesindicating the residues which bind to glycans contemplated forremodeling, and exemplary glycan formulas bound thereto. FIG. 50F to 50Hare diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps based on the type of cellthe peptide is expressed in and the desired remodeled glycan structure.FIG. 50I is a diagram depicting monoclonal antibody to glycoproteinIIb/IIIa- mucin fusion peptides and monoclonal antibody to glycoproteinIIb/IIIa peptides indicating the residues which bind to glycanscontemplated for remodeling, and exemplary glycan formulas boundthereto. FIG. 50J to 50L are diagrams of contemplated remodeling stepsbased on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desiredremodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 51, comprising FIGS. 51A to 51D, sets forth exemplary schemes forremodeling glycan structures on a monoclonal antibody to CD20(Rituxan™). FIG. 51A is a diagram depicting monoclonal antibody to CD20which have been mutated to contain an N-glycosylation site(s) indicatingthe residue which binds to glycans contemplated for remodeling, andexemplary glycan formulas bound thereto. FIG. 51B to 51D are diagrams ofcontemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of the peptides in FIG. 51Abased on the type of cell the peptide is expressed in and the desiredremodeled glycan structure. FIG. 51E is a diagram depicting monoclonalantibody to CD20 which has been mutated to contain an N-glycosylationsite(s) indicating the residue(s) which binds to glycans contemplatedfor remodeling, and exemplary glycan formulas bound thereto. FIG. 5IF to51G are diagrams of contemplated remodeling steps of the glycan of thepeptides in FIG. 51E based on the type of cell the peptide is expressedin and the desired remodeled glycan structure.

FIG. 52, comprising FIGS. 51A and 51B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of granulocyte colony stimulatingfactor (G-CSF) (SEQ ID NOS:1 and 2, respectively).

FIG. 53, comprising FIGS. 53A and 53B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) (SEQID NOS:3 and 4, respectively).

FIG. 54, comprising FIGS. 54A and 54B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of interferon beta (IFN-beta) (SEQ IDNOS:5 and 6, respectively).

FIG. 55, comprising FIGS. 55A and 55B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of Factor VIIa (SEQ ID NOS:7and 8,respectively).

FIG. 56, comprising FIGS. 56A and 56B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of Factor IX (SEQ ID NOS:9 and 10,respectively).

FIG. 57, comprising FIGS. 57A through 57D, is an exemplary nucleotideand corresponding amino acid sequence of the alpha and beta chains offollicle stimulating hormone (FSH), respectively (SEQ ID NOS:11 through14, respectively).

FIG. 58, comprising FIGS. 58A and 58B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of erythropoietin (EPO) (SEQ ID NOS:15and 16, respectively).

FIG. 59, comprising FIGS. 59A and 59B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of granulocyte-macrophage colonystimulating factor (GM-CSF) (SEQ ID NOS:17 and 18, respectively).

FIG. 60, comprising FIGS. 60A and 60B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) (SEQID NOS:19 and 20, respectively).

FIG. 61, comprising FIGS. 61A and 61B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of α-1-protease inhibitor (A-1-PI, orα-antitrypsin) (SEQ ID NOS:21 and 22, respectively).

FIG. 62, comprising FIGS. 62A-1 to 62A-2, and 62B, is an exemplarynucleotide and corresponding amino acid sequence of glucocerebrosidase(SEQ ID NOS:23 and 24, respectively).

FIG. 63, comprising FIGS. 63A and 63B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of tissue-type plasminogen activator(TPA) (SEQ ID NOS:25 and 26, respectively).

FIG. 64, comprising FIGS. 64A and 64B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of interleulin-2 (IL-2) (SEQ ID NOS:27and 28, respectively).

FIG. 65, comprising FIGS. 65A-1 through 65A-4 and FIG. 65B-1 through65B-4, is an exemplary nucleotide and corresponding amino acid sequenceof Factor VIII (SEQ ID NOS:29 and 30, respectively).

FIG. 66, comprising FIGS. 66A and 66B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of urokinase (SEQ ID NOS:33 and 34,respectively).

FIG. 67, comprising FIGS. 67A and 67B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of human recombinant DNase (hrDNase)(SEQ ID NOS:39 and 40, respectively).

FIG. 68, comprising FIGS. 68A and 68B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of a humanized monoclonal antibody toglycoprotein IIb/IIIa (SEQ ID NOS:43 and 44, respectively).

FIG. 69, comprising FIGS. 69A and 69B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of S-protein from a Hepatitis B virus(HbsAg) (SEQ ID NOS:45 and 46, respectively).

FIG. 70, comprising FIGS. 70A and 70B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of human growth hormone (HGH) (SEQ IDNOS:47 and 48, respectively).

FIG. 71, comprising FIGS. 71A and 71B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of the 75 kDa tumor necrosis factorreceptor (TNF-R), which comprises a portion of Enbrel™ (tumor necrosisfactor receptor (TNF-R)/IgG fusion) (SEQ ID NOS:31 and 32,respectively).

FIG. 72, comprising FIGS. 72A and 72B, is an exemplary amino acidsequence of the light and heavy chains, respectively, of Herceptin™(monoclonal antibody (MAb) to Her-2, human epidermal growth factorreceptor) (SEQ ID NOS:35 and 36, respectively).

FIG. 73, comprising FIGS. 73A and 73B, is an exemplary amino acidsequence the heavy and light chains, respectively, of Synagis (MAb to Fpeptide of Respiratory Syncytial Virus) (SEQ ID NOS:37 and 38,respectively).

FIG. 74, comprising FIGS. 74A and 74B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of the non-human variable regions ofRemicade™ (Mab to TNFα) (SEQ ID NOS:41 and 42, respectively).

FIG. 75, comprising FIGS. 75A and 75B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of the Fc portion of human IgG (SEQ IDNOS:49 and 50, respectively).

FIG. 76 is an exemplary amino acid sequence of the mature variableregion light chain of an anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa murine antibody (SEQID NO:52).

FIG. 77 is an exemplary amino acid sequence of the mature variableregion heavy chain of an anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa murine antibody (SEQID NO:54).

FIG. 78 is an exemplary amino acid sequence of variable region lightchain of a human IgG (SEQ ID NO:51).

FIG. 79 is an exemplary amino acid sequence of variable region heavychain of a human IgG (SEQ ID NO:53).

FIG. 80 is an exemplary amino acid sequence of a light chain of a humanIgG (SEQ ID NO:55).

FIG. 81 is an exemplary amino acid sequence of a heavy chain of a humanIgG (SEQ ID NOS:56).

FIG. 82, comprising FIGS. 82A and 82B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of the mature variable region of thelight chain of an anti-CD20 murine antibody (SEQ ID NOS:59 and 60,respectively).

FIG. 83, comprising FIGS. 83A and 83B, is an exemplary nucleotide andcorresponding amino acid sequence of the mature variable region of theheavy chain of an anti-CD20 murine antibody (SEQ ID NOS:61 and 62,respectively).

FIG. 84, comprising FIGS. 84A through 83E, is the nucleotide sequence ofthe tandem chimeric antibody expression vector TCAE 8 (SEQ ID NOS:57).

FIG. 85, comprising FIGS. 85A through 85E, is the nucleotide sequence ofthe tandem chimeric antibody expression vector TCAE 8 containing thelight and heavy variable domains of the anti-CD20 murine antibody (SEQID NOS:58).

FIG. 86 is an image of an acrylamide gel depicting the results of FACEanalysis of the pre- and post-sialylation of TP10. The BiNA₀ species hasno sialic acid residues. The BiNA₁ species has one sialic acid residue.The BiNA₂ species has two sialic acid residues. Bi=biantennary,NA=neuraminic acid.

FIG. 87 is a graph depicting the plasma concentration in μg/ml over timeof pre- and post-sialylation TP10 injected into rats.

FIG. 88 is a graph depicting the area under the plasmaconcentration-time curve (AUC) in μg/hr/ml for pre- and post sialylatedTP10.

FIG. 89 is an image of an acrylamide gel depicting the results of FACEanalysis of the pre- and post-fucosylation of TP10. The BiNA₂F₂ specieshas two neuraminic acid (NA) residues and two fucose residues (F).

FIG. 90 is a graph depicting the in vitro binding of TP20 (sCR1sLe^(X))glycosylated in vitro (diamonds) and in vivo in Lec11 CHO cells(squares).

FIG. 91 is a graph depicting the analysis by 2-AA HPLC of glycoformsfrom the GlcNAc-ylation of EPO.

FIG. 92, comprising FIGS. 92A and 92B, is two graphs depicting theMALDI-TOF spectrum of RNaseB (FIG. 92A) and the HPLC profile of theoligosaccharides cleaved from RNaseB by N-Glycanase (FIG. 92B). Themajority of N-glycosylation sites of the peptide are modified with highmannose oligosaccharides consisting of 5 to 9 mannose residues.

FIG. 93 is a scheme depicting the conversion of high mannose N-Glycansto hybrid N-Glycans. Enzyme 1 is α1,2-mannosidase, from Trichodomareesei or Aspergillus saitoi. Enzyme 2 is GnT-I (β-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase I). Enzyme 3 is GalT-I(β1,4-galactosyltransfease 1). Enzyme 4 is α2,3-sialyltransferase orα2,6-sialyltransferase.

FIG. 94, comprising FIGS. 94A and 94B, is two graphs depicting theMALDI-TOF spectrum of RNaseB treated with a recombinant T. reeseiα1,2-mannosidase (FIG. 94A) and the HPLC profile of the oligosaccharidescleaved by N-Glycanase from the modified RNaseB (FIG. 94B).

FIG. 95 is a graph depicting the MALDI-TOF spectrum of RNaseB treatedwith a commercially available α1,2-mannosidase purified from A. saitoi(Glyko & CalBioChem).

FIG. 96 is a graph depicting the MALDI-TOF spectrum of modified RNaseBby treating the product shown in FIG. 94 with a recombinant GnT-I(GlcNAc transferase-I).

FIG. 97 is a graph depicting the MALDI-TOF spectrum of modified RNaseBby treating the product shown in FIG. 96 with a recombinant GalT 1(galactosyltransferase 1).

FIG. 98 is a graph depicting the MALDI-TOF spectrum of modified RNaseBby treating the product shown in FIG. 97 with a recombinant ST3Gal III(α2,3-sialyltransferase III) using CMP-SA as the donor for thetransferase.

FIG. 99 is a graph depicting the MALDI-TOF spectrum of modified RNaseBby treating the product shown in FIG. 97 with a recombinant ST3Gal III(α2,3-sialyltransferase III) using CMP-SA-PEG (10 kDa) as the donor forthe transferase.

FIG. 100 is a series of schemes depicting the conversion of high mannoseN-glycans to complex N-glycans. Enzyme 1 is α1,2-mannosidase fromTrichoderma reesei or Aspergillus saitoi. Enzyme 2 is GnT-I. Enzyme 3 isGalT 1. Enzyme 4 is α2,3-sialyltransferase or α2,6-sialyltransferase.Enzyme 5 is α-mannosidase II. Enzyme 6 is al.α-mannosidase. Enzyme 7 isGnT-II. Enzyme 8 is α1,6-mannosidase. Enzyme 9 is α1,3-mannosidase.

FIG. 101 is a diagram of the linkage catalyzed byN-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I to VI (GnT I-VI).R=GlcNAcβ1,4GlcNAc-Asn-X.

FIG. 102, comprising FIGS. 102A and 102B, are graphs depicting the 2-AAHPLC analysis of two lots of EPO to which N-acetylglucosamine was beenadded. FIG. 102A depicts the analysis of lot A, and FIG. 102B depictsthe analysis of lot B.

FIG. 103 is a graph depicting the 2-AA HPLC analysis of the products thereaction introducing a third glycan branch to EPO with GnT-V.

FIG. 104 is a graph depicting a MALDI-TOF spectrum of the glycans of theEPO preparation after treatment with GNT-I, GnT-II, GNT-III, GnT-IV andGalT1, with appropriate donor groups.

FIG. 105 is an image of an isoelectric focusing (IEF) gel depicting theproducts of the desialylation reaction of human pituitary FSH. Lanes 1and 4 are isoelectric focusing (IEF) standards. Lane 2 is native FSH.Lane 3 is desialylated FSH.

FIG. 106 is an image of an SDS-PAGE gel of the products of the reactionsto make PEG-sialylation of rFSH. Lanes 1 and 8 are SeeBlue+2 molecularweight standards. Lane 2 is 15 μg of native FSH. Lane 3 is 15 μg ofasialo-FSH (AS-FSH). Lane 4 is 15 μg of the products of the reaction ofAS-FSH with CMP-SA. Lane 5 is 15 μg of the products of the reaction ofAS-FSH with CMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa). Lane 6 is 15 μg of the products of thereaction of AS-FSH with CMP-SA-PEG (5 kDa). Lane 7 is 15 μg of theproducts of the reaction of AS-FSH with CMP-SA-PEG (10 kDa).

FIG. 107 is an image of an isoelectric focusing gel of the products ofthe reactions to make PEG-sialylation of FSH. Lanes 1 and 8 are IEFstandards. Lane 2 is 15 μg of native FSH. Lane 3 is 15 μg of asialo-FSH(AS-FSH). Lane 4 is 15 μg of the products of the reaction of AS-FSH withCMP-SA. Lane 5 is 15 μg of the products of the reaction of AS-FSH withCMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa). Lane 6 is 15 μg of the products of the reaction ofAS-FSH with CMP-SA-PEG (5 kDa). Lane 7 is 15 μg of the products of thereaction of AS-FSH with CMP-SA-PEG (10 kDa).

FIG. 108 is an image of an SDS-PAGE gel of native non-recombinant FSHproduced in human pituitary cells. Lanes 1, 2 and 5 are SeeBlue™+2molecular weight standards. Lanes 3 and 4 are native FSH at 5 μg and 25μg, respectively.

FIG. 109 is an image of an isoelectric focusing gel (pH 3-7) depictingthe products of the asialylation reaction of rFSH. Lanes 1 and 4 are IEFstandards. Lane 2 is native rFSH. Lane 3 is asialo-rFSH.

FIG. 110 is an image of an SDS-PAGE gel depicting the results of thePEG-sialylation of asialo-rFSH. Lane 1 is native rFSH. Lane 2 isasialo-FSH. Lane 3 is the products of the reaction of asialo-FSH andCMP-SA. Lanes 4-7 are the products of the reaction between asialoFSH and0.5 mM CMP-SA-PEG (10 kDa) at 2 hr, 5 hr, 24 hr, and 48 hr,respectively. Lane 8 is the products of the reaction between asialo-FSHand 1.0 mM CMP-SA-PEG (10 kDa) at 48 hr. Lane 9 is the products of thereaction between asialo-FSH and 1.0 mM CMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa) at 48 hr.

FIG. 111 is an image of an isoelectric focusing gel showing the productsof PEG-sialylation of asialo-rFSH with a CMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa). Lane 1 isnative rFSH. Lane 2 is asialo-rFSH. Lane 3 is the products of thereaction of asialo-rFSH and CMP-SA at 24 hr. Lanes 4-7 are the productsof the reaction of asialo-rFSH and 0.5 mM CMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa) at 2 hr, 5hr, 24 hr. and 48 hr, respectively. Lane 8 is blank. Lanes 9 and 10 arethe products of the reaction at 48 hr of asialo-rFSH and CMP-SA-PEG (10kDa) at 0.5 mM and 1.0 mM, respectively.

FIG. 112 is graph of the pharmacokinetics of rFSH and rFSH-SA-PEG (1 KDaand 10 KDa). This graph illustrates the relationship between the time arFSH compound is in the blood stream of the rat, and the meanconcentration of the rFSH compound in the blood for glycoPEGylated rFSHas compared to non-PEGylated rFSH.

FIG. 113 is a graph of the results of the FSH bioassay using Sertolicells. This graph illustrates the relationship between the FSHconcentration in the Sertoli cell incubation medium and the amount of17-β estradiol released from the Sertoli cells.

FIG. 114 is an image of an SDS-PAGE gel: standard (Lane 1); nativetransferrin (Lane 2); asialotransferrin (Lane 3); asialotransferrin andCMP-SA (Lane 4); Lanes 5 and 6, asialotransferrin and CMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa)at 0.5 mM and 5 mM, respectively; Lanes 7 and 8, asialotransferrin andCMP-SA-PEG (5 kDa) at 0.5 mM and 5 mM, respectively; Lanes 9 and 10,asialotransferrin and CMP-SA-PEG (10 kDa) at 0.5 mM and 5 mM,respectively.

FIG. 115 is an image of an IEF gel: native transferrin (Lane 1);asialotransferrin (Lane 2); asialotransferrin and CMP-SA, 24hr (Lane 3);asialotransferrin and CMP-SA, 96 hr (Lane 4) Lanes 5 and 6,asialotransferrin and CMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa) at 24 hr and 96 hr,respectively; Lanes 7 and 8, asialotransferrin and CMP-SA-PEG (5 kDa) at24 hr and 96 hr, respectively; Lanes 9 and 10, asialotransferrin andCMP-SA-PEG (10 kDa) at 24 hr and 96 hr, respectively.

FIG. 116 is an image of an isoelectric focusing gel (pH 3-7) ofasialo-Factor VIIa. Lane 1 is rFactor VIIa; lanes 2-5 are asialo-FactorVIIa.

FIG. 117 is a graph of a MALDI spectra of Factor VIIa.

FIG. 118 is a graph of a MALDI spectra of Factor VIIa-PEG (1 kDa).

FIG. 119 is a graph depicting a MALDI spectra of Factor VIIa-PEG (10kDa).

FIG. 120 is an image of an SDS-PAGE gel of PEGylated Factor VIIa. Lane 1is asialo-Factor VIIa. Lane 2 is the product of the reaction ofasialo-Factor VIIa and CMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa) with ST3Gal3 after 48 hr. Lane3 is the product of the reaction of asialo-Factor VIIa and CMP-SA-PEG (1kDa) with ST3Gal3 after 48 hr. Lane 4 is the product of the reaction ofasialo-Factor VIIa and CMP-SA-PEG (10 kDa) with ST3Gal3 at 96 hr.

FIG. 121 is an image of an IEF gel depicting the pI of the products ofthe desialylation procedure. Lanes 1 and 5 are IEF standards. Lane 2 isFactor IX protein. Lane 3 is rFactor IX protein. Lane 4 is thedesialylation reaction of rFactor IX protein at 20 hr.

FIG. 122 is an image of an SDS-PAGE gel depicting the molecular weightof Factor IX conjugated with either SA-PEG (1 kDa) or SA-PEG (10 kDa)after reaction with CMP-SA-PEG. Lanes 1 and 6 are SeeBlue+2 molecularweight standards. Lane 2 is rF-DX. Lane 3 is desialylated rF-IX. Lane 4is rFactor IX conjugated to SA-PEG (1 kD a). Lane 5 is rFactor IXconjugated to SA-PEG (10 kDa).

FIG. 123 is an image of an SDS-PAGE gel depicting the reaction productsof direct-sialylation of Factor-DC and sialic acid capping ofFactor-DX-SA-PEG. Lane 1 is protein standards, lane 2 is blank; lane 3is rFactor-IX; lane 4 is SA capped rFactor-IX-SA-PEG (10 KDa); lane 5 isrFactor-IX-SA-PEG (10 KDa); lane 6 is ST3Gal1; lane 7 is ST3Gal3; lanes8, 9, 10 are rFactor-IX-SA-PEG (10 KDa) with no prior sialidasetreatment.

FIG. 124 is a graph depicting a MALDI spectrum the glycans of nativeEPO.

FIG. 125 is an image of an SDS-PAGE gel of the products of thePEGylation reactions using CMP-NAN-PEG (1 KDa), and CMP-NAN-PEG (10KDa).

FIG. 126 is a graph depicting the results of the in vitro bioassay ofPEGylated EPO. Diamonds represent the data from sialylated EPO having noPEG molecules. Squares represent the data obtained using EPO with PEG (1KDa). Triangles represent the data obtained using EPO with PEG (10 KDa).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes methods and compositions for the cellfree in vitro addition and/or deletion of sugars to or from a peptidemolecule in such a manner as to provide a glycopeptide molecule having aspecific customized or desired glycosylation pattern, wherein theglycopeptide is produced at an industrial scale. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, the glycopeptide so produced has attachedthereto a modified sugar that has been added to the peptide via anenzymatic reaction. A key feature of the invention is to take a peptideproduced by any cell type and generate a core glycan structure on thepeptide, following which the glycan structure is then remodeled in vitroto generate a glycopeptide having a glycosylation pattern suitable fortherapeutic use in a mammal. More specifically, it is possible accordingto the present invention, to prepare a glycopeptide molecule having amodified sugar molecule or other compound conjugated thereto, such thatthe conjugated molecule confers a beneficial property on the peptide.According to the present invention, the conjugate molecule is added tothe peptide enzymatically because enzyme-based addition of conjugatemolecules to peptides has the advantage of regioselectivity andstereoselectivity. It is therefore possible, using the methods andcompositions provided herein, to remodel a peptide to confer upon thepeptide a desired glycan structure preferably having a modified sugarattached thereto. It is also possible, using the methods andcompositions of the invention to generate peptide molecules havingdesired and or modified glycan structures at an industrial scale,thereby, for the first time, providing the art with a practical solutionfor the efficient production of improved therapeutic peptides.

Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereingenerally have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Generally,the nomenclature used herein and the laboratory procedures in cellculture, molecular genetics, organic chemistry, and nucleic acidchemistry and hybridization are those well known and commonly employedin the art. Standard techniques are used for nucleic acid and peptidesynthesis. The techniques and procedures are generally performedaccording to conventional methods in the art and various generalreferences (e.g., Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A LaboratoryManual, 2d ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor,N.Y.), which are provided throughout this document. The nomenclatureused herein and the laboratory procedures used in analytical chemistryand organic syntheses described below are those well known and commonlyemployed in the art. Standard techniques or modifications thereof, areused for chemical syntheses and chemical analyses.

The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to morethan one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of thearticle. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more thanone element.

The term “antibody,” as used herein, refers to an immunoglobulinmolecule which is able to specifically bind to a specific-epitope on anantigen. Antibodies can be intact immunoglobulins derived from naturalsources or from recombinant sources and can be immunoreactive portionsof intact immunoglobulins. Antibodies are typically tetrameters ofimmunoglobulin molecules. The antibodies in the present invention mayexist in a variety of forms including, for example, polyclonalantibodies, monoclonal antibodies, Fv, Fab and F(ab)₂, as well as singlechain antibodies and humanized antibodies (Harlow et al., 1999, UsingAntibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press,NY; Harlow et al., 1989, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y.; Houston et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA85:5879-5883; Bird et al., 1988, Science 242:423-426).

By the term “synthetic antibody” as used herein, is meant an antibodywhich is generated using recombinant DNA technology, such as, forexample, an antibody expressed by a bacteriophage as described herein.The term should also be construed to mean an antibody which has beengenerated by the synthesis of a DNA molecule encoding the antibody andwhich DNA molecule expresses an antibody protein, or an amino acidsequence specifying the antibody, wherein the DNA or amino acid sequencehas been obtained using synthetic DNA or amino acid sequence technologywhich is available and well known in the art.

As used herein, a “functional” biological molecule is a biologicalmolecule in a form in which it exhibits a property by which it ischaracterized. A functional enzyme, for example, is one which exhibitsthe characteristic catalytic activity by which the enzyme ischaracterized.

As used herein, the structure

is the point of connection between an amino acid in the peptide chainand the glycan structure.

“N-linked” oligosaccharides are those oligosaccharides that are linkedto a peptide backbone through asparagine, byway of anasparagine-N-acetylglucosamine linkage. N-linked oligosaccharides arealso called “N-glycans.” All N-linked oligosaccharides have a commonpentasaccharide core of Man₃GlcNAc₂. They differ in the presence of, andin the number of branches (also called antennae) of peripheral sugarssuch as N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucoseand sialic acid. Optionally, this structure may also contain a corefacose molecule and/or a xylose molecule.

An “elemental trimannosyl core structure” refers to a glycan moietycomprising solely a trimannosyl core structure, with no additionalsugars attached thereto. When the term “elemental” is not included inthe description of the “trimannosyl core structure,” then the glycancomprises the trimannosyl core structure with additional sugars attachedthereto. Optionally, this structure may also contain a core fucosemolecule and/or a xylose molecule.

The term “elemental trimannosyl core glycopeptide” is used herein torefer to a glycopeptide having glycan structures comprised primarily ofan elemental trimannosyl core structure. Optionally, this structure mayalso contain a core fucose molecule and/or a xylose molecule.

“O-linked” oligosaccharides are those oligosaccharides that are linkedto a peptide backbone through threonine or serine.

All oligosaccharides described herein are described with the name orabbreviation for the non-reducing saccharide (i.e., Gal), followed bythe configuration of the glycosidic bond (α or β), the ring bond (1 or2), the ring position of the reducing saccharide involved in the bond(2, 3, 4, 6 or 8), and then the name or abbreviation of the reducingsaccharide (i.e., GlcNAc). Each saccharide is preferably a pyranose. Fora review of standard glycobiology nomenclature see, Essentials ofGlycobiology Varki et al. eds., 1999, CSHL Press.

The term “sialic acid” refers to any member of a family of nine-carboncarboxylated sugars. The most common member of the sialic acid family isN-acetyl-neuraminic acid(2-keto-5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galactononulopyranos-1-onicacid (often abbreviated as Neu5Ac, NeuAc, or NANA). A second member ofthe family is N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Gc or NeuGc), in which theN-acetyl group of NeuAc is hydroxylated. A third sialic acid familymember is 2-keto-3-deoxy-nonulosonic acid (KDN) (Nadano et al. (1986) J.Biol. Chem. 261: 11550-11557; Kanamori et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:21811-21819 (1990)). Also included are 9-substituted sialic acids suchas a 9-O—C₁-C₆ acyl-Neu5Ac like 9-O-lactyl-Neu5Ac or 9-O-acetyl-Neu5Ac,9-deoxy-9-fluoro-Neu5Ac and 9-azido-9-deoxy-Neu5Ac. For review of thesialic acid family, see, e.g., Varki, Glycobiology 2: 25-40 (1992);Sialic Acids: Chemistry, Metabolism and Function, R. Schauer, Ed.(Springer-Verlag, New York (1992)). The synthesis and use of sialic acidcompounds in a sialylation procedure is disclosed in internationalapplication WO 92/16640, published Oct. 1, 1992.

A peptide having “desired glycosylation”, as used herein, is a peptidethat comprises one or more oligosaccharide molecules which are requiredfor efficient biological activity of the peptide.

A “disease” is a state of health of an animal wherein the animal cannotmaintain homeostasis, and wherein if the disease is not ameliorated thenthe animal's health continues to deteriorate.

The “area under the curve” or “AUC”, as used herein in the context ofadministering a peptide drug to a patient, is defined as total areaunder the curve that describes the concentration of drug in systemiccirculation in the patient as a function of time from zero to infinity.

The term “half-life” or “t½”, as used herein in the context ofadministering a peptide drug to a patient, is defined as the timerequired for plasma concentration of a drug in a patient to be reducedby one half. There may be more than one half-life associated with thepeptide drug depending on multiple clearance mechanisms, redistribution,and other mechanisms well known in the art. Usually, alpha and betahalf-lives are defined such that the alpha phase is associated withredistribution, and the beta phase is associated with clearance.However, with protein drugs that are, for the most part, confined to thebloodstream, there can be at least two clearance half-lives. For someglycosylated peptides, rapid beta phase clearance may be mediated viareceptors on macrophages, or endothelial cells that recognize terminalgalactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, orfucose. Slower beta phase clearance may occur via renal glomerularfiltration for molecules with an effective radius <2 nm (approximately68 d)) and/or specific or non-specific uptake and metabolism in tissues.GlycoPEGylation may cap terminal sugars (e.g. galactose orN-acetylgalactosamine) and thereby block rapid alpha phase clearance viareceptors that recognize these sugars. It may also confer a largereffective radius and thereby decrease the volume of distribution andtissue uptake, thereby prolonging the late beta phase. Thus, the preciseimpact of glycoPEGylation on alpha phase and beta phase half-lives willvary depending upon the size, state of glycosylation, and otherparameters, as is well known in the art. Further explanation of“half-life” is found in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (1997, D F ACrommelin and R D Sindelar, eds., Harwood Publishers, Amsterdam, pp101-120).

The term “residence time”, as used herein in the context ofadministering a peptide drug to a patient, is defined as the averagetime that drug stays in the body of the patient after dosing.

An “isolated nucleic acid” refers to a nucleic acid segment or fragmentwhich has been separated from sequences which flank it in a naturallyoccurring state, e.g., a DNA fragment which has been removed from thesequences which are normally adjacent to the fragment, e.g., thesequences adjacent to the fragment in a genome in which it naturallyoccurs. The term also applies to nucleic acids which have beensubstantially purified from other components which naturally accompanythe nucleic acid, e.g., RNA or DNA or proteins, which naturallyaccompany it in the cell. The term therefore includes, for example, arecombinant DNA which is incorporated into a vector, into anautonomously replicating plasmid or virus, or into the genomic DNA of aprokaryote or eukaryote, or which exists as a separate molecule (e.g.,as a cDNA or a genomic or cDNA fragment produced by PCR or restrictionenzyme digestion) independent of other sequences. It also includes arecombinant DNA which is part of a hybrid nucleic acid encodingadditional peptide sequence.

A “polynucleotide” means a single strand or parallel and anti-parallelstrands of a nucleic acid. Thus, a polynucleotide may be either asingle-stranded or a double-stranded nucleic acid.

The term “nucleic acid” typically refers to large polynucleotides. Theterm “oligonucleotide” typically refers to short polynucleotides,generally no greater than about 50 nucleotides.

Conventional notation is used herein to describe polynucleotidesequences: the left-hand end of a single-stranded polynucleotidesequence is the 5′-end; the left-hand direction of a double-strandedpolynucleotide sequence is referred to as the 5′-direction. Thedirection of 5′ to 3′ addition of nucleotides to nascent RNA transcriptsis referred to as the transcription direction. The DNA strand having thesame sequence as an mRNA is referred to as the “coding strand”;sequences on the DNA strand which are located 5′ to a reference point onthe DNA are referred to as “upstream sequences”; sequences on the DNAstrand which are 3′ to a reference point on the DNA are referred to as“downstream sequences.”

“Encoding” refers to the inherent property of specific sequences ofnucleotides in a polynucleotide, such as a gene, a cDNA, or an mRNA, toserve as templates for synthesis of other polymers and macromolecules inbiological processes having either a defined sequence of nucleotides(i.e., rRNA, tRNA and mRNA) or a defined sequence of amino acids and thebiological properties resulting therefrom. Thus, a nucleic acid sequenceencodes a protein if transcription and translation of mRNA correspondingto that nucleic acid produces the protein in a cell or other biologicalsystem. Both the coding strand, the nucleotide sequence of which isidentical to the mRNA sequence and is usually provided in sequencelistings, and the non-coding strand, used as the template fortranscription of a gene or cDNA, can be referred to as encoding theprotein or other product of that nucleic acid or cDNA.

Unless otherwise specified, a “nucleotide sequence encoding an aminoacid sequence” includes all nucleotide sequences that are degenerateversions of each other and that encode the same amino acid sequence.Nucleotide sequences that encode proteins and RNA may include introns.

“Homologous” as used herein, refers to the subunit sequence similaritybetween two polymeric molecules, e.g., between two nucleic acidmolecules, e.g., two DNA molecules or two RNA molecules, or between twopeptide molecules. When a subunit position in both of the two moleculesis occupied by the same monomeric subunit, e.g., if a position in eachof two DNA molecules is occupied by adenine, then they are homologous atthat position. The homology between two sequences is a direct functionof the number of matching or homologous positions, e.g., if half (e.g.,five positions in a polymer ten subunits in length) of the positions intwo compound sequences are homologous then the two sequences are 50%homologous, if 90% of the positions, e.g., 9 of 10, are matched orhomologous, the two sequences share 90% homology. By way of example, theDNA sequences 3′ ATTGCC5′ and 3′ TATGGC share 50% homology.

As used herein, “homology” is used synonymously with “identity.”

The determination of percent identity between two nucleotide or aminoacid sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. Forexample, a mathematical algorithm useful for comparing two sequences isthe algorithm of Karlin and Altschul (1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA87:2264-2268), modified as in Karlin and Altschul (1993, Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5877). This algorithm is incorporated into theNBLAST and XBLAST programs of Altschul, et al. (1990, J. Mol. Biol.215:403-410), and can be accessed, for example at the National Centerfor Biotechnology Information (NCB) world wide web site having theuniversal resource locator “http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/”. BLASTnucleotide searches can be performed with the NBLAST program (designated“blastn” at the NCBI web site), using the following parameters: gappenalty=5; gap extension penalty=2; mismatch penalty=3; match reward=1;expectation value 10.0; and word size=11 to obtain nucleotide sequenceshomologous to a nucleic acid described herein. BLAST protein searchescan be performed with the XBLAST program (designated “blastn” at theNCBI web site) or the NCBI “blastp” program, using the followingparameters: expectation value 10.0, BLOSUM62 scoring matrix to obtainamino acid sequences homologous to a protein molecule described herein.To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can beutilized as described in Altschul et al. (1997, Nucleic Acids Res.25:3389-3402). Alternatively, PSI-Blast or PHI-Blast can be used toperform an iterated search which detects distant relationships betweenmolecules (Id.) and relationships between molecules which share a commonpattern. When utilizing BLAST, Gapped BLAST, PSI-Blast, and PHI-Blastprograms, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g.,XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used. See http://www.nobi.nhn.nih.gov.

The percent identity between two sequences can be determined usingtechniques similar to those described above, with or without allowinggaps. In calculating percent identity, typically exact matches arecounted.

A “heterologous nucleic acid expression unit” encoding a peptide isdefined as a nucleic acid having a coding sequence for a peptide ofinterest operably linked to one or more expression control sequencessuch as promoters and/or repressor sequences wherein at least one of thesequences is heterologous, i.e., not normally found in the host cell.

By describing two polynucleotides as “operably linked” is meant that asingle-stranded or double-stranded nucleic acid moiety comprises the twopolynucleotides arranged within the nucleic acid moiety in such a mannerthat at least one of the two polynucleotides is able to exert aphysiological effect by which it is characterized upon the other. By wayof example, a promoter operably linked to the coding region of a nucleicacid is able to promote transcription of the coding region.

As used herein, the term “promoter/regulatory sequence” means a nucleicacid sequence which is required for expression of a gene productoperably linked to the promoter/regulator sequence. In some instances,this sequence may be the core promoter sequence and in other instances,this sequence may also include an enhancer sequence and other regulatoryelements which are required for expression of the gene product. Thepromoter/regulatory sequence may, for example, be one which expressesthe gene product in a tissue specific manner.

A “constitutive promoter is a promoter which drives expression of a geneto which it is operably linked, in a constant manner in a cell. By wayof example, promoters which drive expression of cellular housekeepinggenes are considered to be constitutive promoters.

An “inducible” promoter is a nucleotide sequence which, when operablylinked with a polynucleotide which encodes or specifies a gene product,causes the gene product to be produced in a living cell substantiallyonly when an inducer which corresponds to the promoter is present in thecell.

A “tissue-specific” promoter is a nucleotide sequence which, whenoperably linked with a polynucleotide which encodes or specifies a geneproduct, causes the gene product to be produced in a living cellsubstantially only if the cell is a cell of the tissue typecorresponding to the promoter.

A “vector” is a composition of matter which comprises an isolatednucleic acid and which can be used to deliver the isolated nucleic acidto the interior of a cell. Numerous vectors are known in the artincluding, but not limited to, linear polynucleotides, polynucleotidesassociated with ionic or amphiphilic compounds, plasmids, and viruses.Thus, the term “vector” includes an autonomously replicating plasmid ora virus. The term should also be construed to include non-plasmid andnon-viral compounds which facilitate transfer of nucleic acid intocells, such as, for example, polylysine compounds, liposomes, and thelike. Examples of viral vectors include, but are not limited to,adenoviral vectors, adeno-associated virus vectors, retroviral vectors,and the like.

“Expression vector” refers to a vector comprising a recombinantpolynucleotide comprising expression control sequences operativelylinked to a nucleotide sequence to be expressed. An expression vectorcomprises sufficient cis-acting elements for expression; other elementsfor expression can be supplied by the host cell or in an in vitroexpression system. Expression vectors include all those known in theart, such as cosmids, plasmids (e.g., naked or contained in liposomes)and viruses that incorporate the recombinant polynucleotide.

A “genetically engineered” or “recombinant” cell is a cell having one ormore modifications to the genetic material of the cell. Suchmodifications are seen to include, but are not limited to, insertions ofgenetic material, deletions of genetic material and insertion of geneticmaterial that is extrachromasomal whether such material is stablymaintained or not.

A “peptide” is an oligopeptide, polypeptide, peptide, protein orglycoprotein. The use of the term “peptide” herein includes a peptidehaving a sugar molecule attached thereto when a sugar molecule isattached thereto.

As used herein, “native form” means the form of the peptide whenproduced by the cells and/or organisms in which it is found in nature.When the peptide is produced by a plurality of cells and/or organisms,the peptide may have a variety of native forms.

“Peptide” refers to a polymer in which the monomers are amino acids andare joined together through amide bonds, alternatively referred to as apeptide. Additionally, unnatural amino acids, for example, β-alanine,phenylglycine and homoarginine are also included. Amino acids that arenot nucleic acid-encoded may also be used in the present invention.Furthermore, amino acids that have been modified to include reactivegroups, glycosylation sites, polymers, therapeutic moieties,biomolecules and the like may also be used in the invention. All of theamino acids used in the present invention may be either the D- orL-isomer thereof. The L-isomer is generally preferred. In addition,other peptidomimetics are also useful in the present invention. As usedherein, “peptide” refers to both glycosylated and unglycosylatedpeptides. Also included are peptides that are incompletely glycosylatedby a system that expresses the peptide. For a general review, see,Spatola, A. F., in CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF AMINO ACIDS, PEPITDESAND PROTEINS, B. Weinstein, eds., Marcel Dekker, New York, p. 267(1983).

The term “peptide conjugate,” refers to species of the invention inwhich a peptide is conjugated with a modified sugar as set forth herein.

The term “amino acid” refers to naturally occurring and synthetic aminoacids, as well as amino acid analogs and amino acid mimetics thatfunction in a manner similar to the naturally occurring amino acids.Naturally occurring amino acids are those encoded by the genetic code,as well as those amino acids that are later modified, e.g.,hydroxyproline, γ-carboxyglutamate, and O-phosphoserine. Amino acidanalogs refers to compounds that have the same basic chemical structureas a naturally occurring amino acid, i.e., an a carbon that is bound toa hydrogen, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and an R group, e.g.,homoserine, norleucine, methionine sulfoxide, methionine methylsulfonium. Such analogs have modified R groups (e.g., norleucine) ormodified peptide backbones, but retain the same basic chemical structureas a naturally occurring amino acid. Amino acid mimetics refers tochemical compounds that have a structure that is different from thegeneral chemical structure of an amino acid, but that function in amanner similar to a naturally occurring amino acid.

As used herein, amino acids are represented by the fill name thereof, bythe three letter code corresponding thereto, or by the one-letter codecorresponding thereto, as indicated in the following Table 1:

TABLE 1 Amino acids, and the three letter and one letter codes. FullName Three-Letter Code One-Letter Code Aspartic Acid Asp D Glutamic AcidGlu E Lysine Lys K Arginine Arg R Histidine His H Tyrosine Tyr YCysteine Cys C Asparagine Asn N Glutamine Gln Q Serine Ser S ThreonineThr T Glycine Gly G Alanine Ala A Valine Val V Leucine Leu L IsoleucineIle I Methionine Met M Proline Pro P Phenylalanine Phe F Tryptophan TrpW

The present invention also provides for analogs of proteins or peptideswhich comprise a protein as identified above. Analogs may differ fromnaturally occurring proteins or peptides by conservative amino acidsequence differences or by modifications which do not affect sequence,or by both. For example, conservative amino acid changes may be made,which although they alter the primary sequence of the protein orpeptide, do not normally alter its function. Conservative amino acidsubstitutions typically include substitutions within the followinggroups:

-   -   glycine, alanine;    -   valine, isoleucine, leucine;    -   aspartic acid, glutamic acid;    -   asparagine, glutamine;    -   serine, threonine;    -   lysine, arginine;    -   phenylalanine, tyrosine.

Modifications (which do not normally alter primary sequence) include invivo, or in vitro, chemical derivatization of peptides, e.g.,acetylation, or carboxylation. Also included are modifications ofglycosylation, e.g., those made by modifying the glycosylation patternsof a peptide during its synthesis and processing or in furtherprocessing steps; e.g., by exposing the peptide to enzymes which affectglycosylation, e.g., mammalian glycosylating or deglycosylating enzymes.Also embraced are sequences which have phosphorylated amino acidresidues, e.g., phosphotyrosine, phosphoserine, or phosphothreonine.

It will be appreciated, of course, that the peptides may incorporateamino acid residues which are modified without affecting activity. Forexample, the termini may be derivatized to include blocking groups, i.e.chemical substituents suitable to protect and/or stabilize the N- andC-termini from “undesirable degradation”, a term meant to encompass anytype of enzymatic, chemical or biochemical breakdown of the compound atits termini which is likely to affect the function of the compound, i.e.sequential degradation of the compound at a terminal end thereof.

Blocking groups include protecting groups conventionally used in the artof peptide chemistry which will not adversely affect the in vivoactivities of the peptide. For example, suitable N-terminal blockinggroups can be introduced by alkylation or acylation of the N-terminus.Examples of suitable N-terminal blocking groups include C₁-C₅ branchedor unbranched alkyl groups, acyl groups such as formyl and acetylgroups, as well as substituted forms thereof, such as theacetamidomethyl (Acm), Fmoc or Boc groups. Desamino analogs of aminoacids are also useful N-terminal blocking groups, and can either becoupled to the N-terminus of the peptide or used in place of theN-terminal reside. Suitable C-terminal blocking groups, in which thecarboxyl group of the C-terminus is either incorporated or not, includeesters, ketones or amides. Ester or ketone-forming alkyl groups,particularly lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl and propyl, andamide-forming amino groups such as primary amines (—NH₂), and mono- anddi-alkylamino groups such as methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino,diethylamino, methylethylamino and the like are examples of C-terminalblocking groups. Descarboxylated amino acid analogues such as agmatineare also useful C-terminal blocking groups and can be either coupled tothe peptide's C-terminal residue or used in place of it. Further, itwill be appreciated that the free amino and carboxyl groups at thetermini can be removed altogether from the peptide to yield desamino anddescarboxylated forms thereof without affect on peptide activity.

Other modifications can also be incorporated without adversely affectingthe activity and these include, but are not limited to, substitution ofone or more of the amino acids in the natural L-isomeric form with aminoacids in the D-isomeric form. Thus, the peptide may include one or moreD-amino acid resides, or may comprise amino acids which are all in theD-form. Retro-inverso forms of peptides in accordance with the presentinvention are also contemplated, for example, inverted peptides in whichall amino acids are substituted with D-amino acid forms.

Acid addition salts of the present invention are also contemplated asfunctional equivalents. Thus, a peptide in accordance with the presentinvention treated with an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric,hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric, and the like, or an organicacid such as an acetic, propionic, glycolic, pyruvic, oxalic, malic,malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, tataric, citric, benzoic, cinnamic,mandelic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, salicyclicand the like, to provide a water soluble salt of the peptide is suitablefor use in the invention.

Also included are peptides which have been modified using ordinarymolecular biological techniques so as to improve their resistance toproteolytic degradation or to optimize solubility properties or torender them more suitable as a therapeutic agent. Analogs of suchpeptides include those containing residues other than naturallyoccurring L-amino acids, e.g., D-amino acids or non-naturally occurringsynthetic amino acids. The peptides of the invention are not limited toproducts of any of the specific exemplary processes listed herein.

As used herein, the term “MALDI” is an abbreviation for Matrix AssistedLaser Desorption Ionization. During ionization, SA-PEG (sialicacid-poly(ethylene glycol)) can be partially eliminated from theN-glycan structure of the glycoprotein.

As used herein, the term “glycosyltransferase,” refers to anyenzyme/protein that has the ability to transfer a donor sugar to anacceptor moiety.

As used herein, the term “modified sugar,” refers to a naturally- ornon-naturally-occurring carbohydrate that is enzymatically added onto anamino acid or a glycosyl residue of a peptide in a process of theinvention. The modified sugar is selected from a number of enzymesubstrates including, but not limited to sugar nucleotides (mono-, di-,and tri-phosphates), activated sugars (e.g., glycosyl halides, glycosylmesylates) and sugars that are neither activated nor nucleotides.

The “modified sugar” is covalently functionalized with a “modifyinggroup.” Useful modifying groups include, but are not limited to,water-soluble polymers, therapeutic moieties, diagnostic moieties,biomolecules and the like. The locus of functionalization with themodifying group is selected such that it does not prevent the “modifiedsugar” from being added enzymatically to a peptide.

The term “water-soluble” refers to moieties that have some detectabledegree of solubility in water. Methods to detect and/or quantify watersolubility are well known in the art. Exemplary water-soluble polymersinclude peptides, saccharides, poly(ethers), poly(amines),poly(carboxylic acids) and the like. Peptides can have mixed sequencesor be composed of a single amino acid, e.g. poly(lysine). Similarly,saccharides can be of mixed sequence or composed of a single saccharidesubunit, e.g., dextran, amylose, chitosan, and poly(sialic acid). Anexemplary poly(ether) is poly(ethylene glycol). Poly(ethylene imine) isan exemplary polyamine, and poly(aspartic) acid is a representativepoly(carboxylic acid)

The term, “glycosyl linking group,” as used herein refers to a glycosylresidue to which an agent (e.g., water-soluble polymer, therapeuticmoiety, biomolecule) is covalently attached. In the methods of theinvention, the “glycosyl linking group” becomes covalently attached to aglycosylated or unglycosylated peptide, thereby linking the agent to anamino acid and/or glycosyl residue on the peptide. A “glycosyl linkinggroup” is generally derived from a “modified sugar” by the enzymaticattachment of the “modified sugar” to an amino acid and/or glycosylresidue of the peptide. An “intact glycosyl linking group” refers to alinking group that is derived from a glycosyl moiety in which theindividual saccharide monomer that links the conjugate is not degraded,e.g., oxidized, e.g., by sodium metaperiodate. “Intact glycosyl linkinggroups” of the invention may be derived from a naturally occurringoligosaccharide by addition of glycosyl unit(s) or removal of one ormore glycosyl unit from a parent saccharide structure.

The terms “targeting moiety” and “targeting agent”, as used herein,refer to species that will selectively localize in a particular tissueor region of the body. The localization is mediated by specificrecognition of molecular determinants, molecular size of the targetingagent or conjugate, ionic interactions, hydrophobic interactions and thelike. Other mechanisms of targeting an agent to a particular tissue orregion are known to those of still in the art.

As used herein, “therapeutic moiety” means any agent useful for therapyincluding, but not limited to, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents,anti-tumor drugs, cytotoxins, and radioactive agents. “Therapeuticmoiety” includes prodrugs of bioactive agents, constructs in which morethan one therapeutic moiety is bound to a carrier, e.g., multivalentagents. Therapeutic moiety also includes peptides, and constructs thatinclude peptides. Exemplary peptides include those disclosed in FIG. 1and Tables 5 and 6, herein.

As used herein, “anti-tumor drug” means any agent useful to combatcancer including, but not limited to, cytotoxins and agents such asantimetabolites, alkylating agents, anthracyclines, antibiotics,antimitotic agents, procarbazine, hydroxyurea, asparaginase,corticosteroids, interferons and radioactive agents. Also encompassedwithin the scope of the term “anti-tumor drug,” are conjugates ofpeptides with anti-tumor activity, e.g. TNF-α. Conjugates include, butare not limited to those formed between a therapeutic protein and aglycoprotein of the invention. A representative conjugate is that formedbetween PSGL-1 and TNF-α.

As used herein, “a cytotoxin or cytotoxic agent” means any agent that isdetrimental to cells. Examples include taxol, cytochalasin B, gramicidinD, ethidium bromide, emetine, mitomycin, etoposide, tenoposide,vincristine, vinblastine, colchicin, doxorubicin, daunombicin, dihydroxyanthracinedione, mitoxantrone, mithramycin, actinomycin D,1-dehydrotestosterone, glucocorticoids, procaine, tetracaine, lidocaine,propranolol, and puromycin and analogs or homologs thereof. Other toxinsinclude, for example, ricin, CC-1065 and analogues, the duocarmycins.Still other toxins include diphtheria toxin, and snake venom (e.g.,cobra venom).

As used herein, “a radioactive agent” includes any radioisotope that iseffective in diagnosing or destroying a tumor. Examples include, but arenot limited to, indium-111, cobalt-60 and technetium. Additionally,naturally occurring radioactive elements such as uranium, radium, andthorium, which typically represent mixtures of radioisotopes, aresuitable examples of a radioactive agent. The metal ions are typicallychelated with an organic chelating moiety.

Many useful chelating groups, crown ethers, cryptands and the like areknown in the art and can be incorporated into the compounds of theinvention (e.g. EDTA, DTPA, DOTA, NTA, HDTA, etc. and their phosphonateanalogs such as DTPP, EDTP, HDTP, NTP, etc). See, for example, Pitt etal., “The Design of Chelating Agents for the Treatment of IronOverload,” In, INORGANIC CHEMISTRY IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE; Martell,Ed.; American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 1980, pp. 279-312;Lindoy, THE CHEMISTRY OF MACROCYCLIC LIGAND COMPLEXES; CambridgeUniversity Press, Cambridge, 1989; Dugas, BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY;Springer-Verlag, New York, 1989, and references contained therein.

Additionally, a manifold of routes allowing the attachment of chelatingagents, crown ethers and cyclodextrins to other molecules is availableto those of skill in the art. See, for example, Meares et al.,“Properties of In Vivo Chelate-Tagged Proteins and Polypeptides.” In,MODIFICATION OF PROTEINS: FOOD, NUTRITIONAL, AND PHARMACOLOGICALASPECTS;” Feeney, et al., Eds., American Chemical Society, Washington,D.C., 1982, pp. 370-387; Kasina et al, Bioconjugate Chem., 9: 108-117(1998); Song et al., Bioconjugate Chem., 8: 249-255 (1997).

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes anymaterial, which when combined with the conjugate retains the activity ofthe conjugate activity and is non-reactive with the subject's immunesystem. Examples include, but are not limited to, any of the standardpharmaceutical carriers such as a phosphate buffered saline solution,water, emulsions such as oil/water emulsion, and various types ofwetting agents. Other carriers may also include sterile solutions,tablets including coated tablets and capsules. Typically such carrierscontain excipients such as starch, milk, sugar, certain types of clay,gelatin, stearic acid or salts thereof, magnesium or calcium stearate,talc, vegetable fats or oils, gums, glycols, or other known excipients.Such carriers may also include flavor and color additives or otheringredients. Compositions comprising such carriers are formulated bywell known conventional methods.

As used herein, “administering” means oral administration,administration as a suppository, topical contact, intravenous,intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intralesional, intranasal orsubcutaneous administration, intrathecal administration, or theimplantation of a slow-release device e.g., a mini-osmotic pump, to thesubject.

The term “isolated” refers to a material that is substantially oressentially free from components, which are used to produce thematerial. For peptide conjugates of the invention, the term “isolated”refers to material that is substantially or essentially free fromcomponents, which normally accompany the material in the mixture used toprepare the peptide conjugate. “Isolated” and “pure” are usedinterchangeably. Typically, isolated peptide conjugates of the inventionhave a level of purity preferably expressed as a range. The lower end ofthe range of purity for the peptide conjugates is about 60%, about 70%or about 80% and the upper end of the range of purity is about 70%,about 80%, about 90% or more than about 90%.

When the peptide conjugates are more than about 90% pure, their puritiesare also preferably expressed as a range. The lower end of the range ofpurity is about 90%, about 92%, about 94%, about 96% or about 98%. Theupper end of the range of purity is about 92%, about 94%, about 96%,about 98% or about 100% purity.

Purity is determined by any art-recognized method of analysis (e.g.,band intensity on a silver stained gel, polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis, HPLC, or a similar means).

“Essentially each member of the population,” as used herein, describes acharacteristic of a population of peptide conjugates of the invention inwhich a selected percentage of the modified sugars added to a peptideare added to multiple, identical acceptor sites on the peptide.“Essentially each member of the population” speaks to the “homogeneity”of the sites on the peptide conjugated to a modified sugar and refers toconjugates of the invention, which are at least about 80%, preferably atleast about 90% and more preferably at least about 95% homogenous.

“Homogeneity,” refers to the structural consistency across a populationof acceptor moieties to which the modified sugars are conjugated. Thus,in a peptide conjugate of the invention in which each modified sugarmoiety is conjugated to an acceptor site having the same structure asthe acceptor site to which every other modified sugar is conjugated, thepeptide conjugate is said to be about 100% homogeneous. Homogeneity istypically expressed as a range. The lower end of the range ofhomogeneity for the peptide conjugates is about 60%, about 70% or about80% and the upper end of the range of purity is about 70%, about 80%,about 90% or more than about 90%.

When the peptide conjugates are more than or equal to about 90%homogeneous, their homogeneity is also preferably expressed as a range.The lower end of the range of homogeneity is about 90%, about 92%, about94%, about 96% or about 98%. The upper end of the range of purity isabout 92%, about 94%, about 96%, about 98% or about 100% homogeneity.The purity of the peptide conjugates is typically determined by one ormore methods known to those of skill in the art, e.g., liquidchromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), matrix assisted laserdesorption mass time of flight spectrometry MALDI-TOF), capillaryelectrophoresis, and the like.

“Substantially uniform glycoform” or a “substantially uniformglycosylation pattern,” when referring to a glycopeptide species, refersto the percentage of acceptor moieties that are glycosylated by theglycosyltransferase of interest (e.g., fucosyltransferase). For example,in the case of a (α1,2 fucosyltransferase, a substantially uniformfucosylation pattern exists if substantially all (as defined below) ofthe Galβ1,4-GlcNAc-R and sialylated analogues thereof are fucosylated ina peptide conjugate of the invention. It will be understood by one ofskill in the art, that the starting material may contain glycosylatedacceptor moieties (e.g., fucosylated Galβ1,4-GlcNAc-R moieties). Thus,the calculated percent glycosylation will include acceptor moieties thatare glycosylated by the methods of the invention, as well as thoseacceptor moieties already glycosylated in the starting material.

The term “substantially” in the above definitions of “substantiallyuniform” generally means at least about 40%, at least about 70%, atleast about 80%, or more preferably at least about 90%, and still morepreferably at least about 95% of the acceptor moieties for a particularglycosyltransferase are glycosylated.

Description of the Invention

I. Method to Remodel Glycan Chains

The present invention includes methods and compositions for the in vitroaddition and/or deletion of sugars to or from a glycopeptide molecule insuch a manner as to provide a peptide molecule having a specificcustomized or desired glycosylation pattern, preferably including theaddition of a modified sugar thereto. A key feature of the inventiontherefore is to take a peptide produced by any cell type and generate acore glycan structure on the peptide, following which the glycanstructure is then remodeled in vitro to generate a peptide having aglycosylation pattern suitable for therapeutic use in a mammal.

The importance of the glycosylation pattern of a peptide is well knownin the art as are the limitations of present in vivo methods for theproduction of properly glycosylated peptides, particularly when thesepeptides are produced using recombinant DNA methodology. Moreover, untilthe present invention, it has not been possible to generateglycopeptides having a desired glycan structure thereon, wherein thepeptide can be produced at industrial scale.

In the present invention, a peptide produced by a cell is enzymaticallytreated in vitro by the systematic addition of the appropriate enzymesand substrates therefor, such that sugar moieties that should not bepresent on the peptide are removed, and sugar moieties, optionallyincluding modified sugars, that should be added to the peptide are addedin a manner to provide a glycopeptide having “desired glycosylation”, asdefined elsewhere herein.

A. Method to Remodel N-linked Glycans

In one aspect, the present invention takes advantage of the fact thatmost peptides of commercial or pharmaceutical interest comprise a commonfive sugar structure referred to herein as the trimannosyl core, whichis N-linked to asparagine at the sequence Asn-X-Ser/Thr on a peptidechain. The elemental trimannosyl core consists essentially of twoN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues and three mannose (Man) residuesattached to a peptide, i.e., it comprises these five sugar residues andno additional sugars, except that it may optionally include a fucoseresidue. The first GlcNAc is attached to the amide group of theasparagine and the second GlcNAc is attached to the first via a β1,4linkage. A mannose residue is attached to the second GlcNAc via a β1,4linkage and two mannose residues are attached to this mannose via anα1,3 and an α1,6 linkage respectively. A schematic depiction of atrimannosyl core structure is shown in FIG. 2, left side. While it isthe case that glycan structures on most peptides comprise other sugarsin addition to the trimannosyl core, the trimannosyl core structurerepresents an essential feature of N-linked glycans on mammalianpeptides.

The present invention includes the generation of a peptide having atrimannosyl core structure as a fundamental element of the structure ofthe glycan molecules contained thereon. Given the variety of cellularsystems used to produce peptides, whether the systems are themselvesnaturally occurring or whether they involve recombinant DNA methodology,the present invention provides methods whereby a glycan molecule on apeptide produced in any cell type can be reduced to an elementaltrimannosyl core structure. Once the elemental trimannosyl corestructure has been generated then it is possible using the methodsdescribed herein, to generate in vitro, a desired glycan structure onthe peptide which confers on the peptide one or more properties thatenhances the therapeutic effectiveness of the peptide.

It should be clear from the discussion herein that the term “trimannosylcore” is used to describe the glycan structure shown in FIG. 2, leftside. Glycopeptides having a trimannosyl core structure may also haveadditional sugars added thereto, and for the most part, do haveadditional structures added thereto irrespective of whether the sugarsgive rise to a peptide having a desired glycan structure. The term“elemental trimannosyl core structure” is defined elsewhere herein. Whenthe term “elemental” is not included in the description of the“trimannosyl core structure,” then the glycan comprises the trimannosylcore structure with additional sugars attached thereto.

The term “elemental trimannosyl core glycopeptide” is used herein torefer to a glycopeptide having glycan structures comprised primarily ofan elemental trimannosyl core structure. However, it may also optionallycontain a fucose residue attached thereto. As discussed herein,elemental trimannosyl core glycopeptides are one optimal, and thereforepreferred, starting material for the glycan remodeling processes of theinvention.

Another optimal starting material for the glycan remodeling process ofthe invention is a glycan structure having a trimannosyl core whereinone or two additional GlcNAc residues are added to each of the α1,3 andthe α1,6 mannose residues (see for example, the structure on the secondline of FIG. 3, second structure in from the left of the figure). Thisstructure is referred to herein as “Man3GlcNAc4.” Optionally, thisstructure may also contain a core fucose molecule. Once the Man3GlcNAc4structure has been generated then it is possible using the methodsdescribed herein, to generate in vitro, a desired glycan structure onthe glycopeptide which confers on the glycopeptide one or moreproperties that enhances the therapeutic effectiveness of the peptide.

In their native form, the N-linked glycopeptides of the invention, andparticularly the mammalian and human glycopeptides useful in the presentinvention, are N-linked glycosylated with a trimannosyl core structureand one or more sugars attached thereto.

The terms “glycopeptide” and “glycopolypeptide” are used synonymouslyherein to refer to peptide chains having sugar moieties attachedthereto. No distinction is made herein to differentiate smallglycopolypeptides or glycopeptides from large glycopolypeptides orglycopeptides. Thus, hormone molecules having very few amino acids intheir peptide chain (e.g., often as few as three amino acids) and othermuch larger peptides are included in the general terms“glycopolypeptide” and “glycopeptide,” provided they have sugar moietiesattached thereto. However, the use of the term “peptide” does notpreclude that peptide from being a glycopeptide.

An example of an N-linked glycopeptide having desired glycosylation is apeptide having an N-linked glycan having a trimannosyl core with atleast one GlcNAc residue attached thereto. This residue is added to thetrimannosyl core using N-acetyl glucosaminyltransferase I (GnT-I). If asecond GlcNAc residue is added, N-acetyl glucosaminyltransferase II(GnT-II) is used. Optionally, additional GlcNAc residues may be addedwith GnT-IV and/or GnT-V, and a third bisecting GlcNAc residue may beattached to the β1,4 mannose of the trimannosyl core using N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III). Optionally, this structure may beextended by treatment with β1,4 galactosyltransferase to add a galactoseresidue to each non-bisecting GlcNAc, and even further optionally, usingα2,3 or α2,6-sialyltransferase enzymes, sialic acid residues may beadded to each galactose residue. The addition of a bisecting GlcNAc tothe glycan is not required for the subsequent addition of galactose andsialic acid residues; however, with respect to the substrate affinity ofthe rat and human GnT-III enzymes, the presence of one or more of thegalactose residues on the glycan precludes the addition of the bisectingGlcNAc in that the galactose-containing glycan is not a substrate forthese forms of GNT-III. Thus, in instances where the presence of thebisecting GlcNAc is desired and these forms of GnT-III are used, it isimportant should the glycan contain added galactose and/or sialicresidues, that they are removed prior to the addition of the bisectingGlcNAc. Other forms of GnT-III may not require this specific order ofsubstrates for their activity.

Examples of glycan structures which represent the various aspects ofpeptides having “desired glycosylation” are shown in the drawingsprovided herein. The precise procedures for the in vitro generation of apeptide having “desired glycosylation” are described elsewhere herein.However, the invention should in no way be construed to be limitedsolely to any one glycan structure disclosed herein. Rather, theinvention should be construed to include any and all glycan structureswhich can be made using the methodology provided herein.

In some cases, an elemental trimannosyl core alone may constitute thedesired glycosylation of a peptide. For example, a peptide having only atrimannosyl core has been shown to be involved in Gaucher's disease(Mistry et al., 1966, Lancet 348: 1555-1559; Bijsterbosch et al., 1996,Eur. J. Biochem. 237:344-349).

According to the present invention, the following procedures for thegeneration of peptides having desired glycosylation become apparent.

a) Beginning with a glycopeptide having one or more glycan moleculeswhich have as a common feature a trimannosyl core structure and at leastone or more of a heterogeneous or homogeneous mixture of one or moresugars added thereto, it is possible to increase the proportion ofglycopeptides having an elemental trimannosyl core structure as the soleglycan structure or which have Man3GlcNAc4 as the sole glycan structure.This is accomplished in vitro by the systematic addition to theglycopeptide of an appropriate number of enzymes in an appropriatesequence which cleave the heterogeneous or homogeneous mixture of sugarson the glycan structure until it is reduced to an elemental trimannosylcore or Man3GlcNAc4 structure. Specific examples of how this isaccomplished will depend on a variety of factors including in large partthe type of cell in which the peptide is produced and therefore thedegree of complexity of the glycan structure(s) present on the peptideinitially produced by the cell. Examples of how a complex glycanstructure can be reduced to an elemental trimannosyl core or aMan3GlcNAc4 structure are presented in FIG. 3, described in detailelsewhere herein.

b) It is possible to generate a peptide having an elemental trimannosylcore structure as the sole glycan structure on the peptide by isolatinga naturally occurring cell whose glycosylation machinery produces such apeptide. DNA encoding a peptide of choice is then transfected into thecell wherein the DNA is transcribed, translated and glycosylated suchthat the peptide of choice has an elemental trimannosyl core structureas the sole glycan structure thereon. For example, a cell lacking afunctional GnT-I enzyme will produce several types of glycopeptides. Insome instances, these will be glycopeptides having no additional sugarsattached to the trimannosyl core. However, in other instances, thepeptides produced may have two additional mannose residues attached tothe trimannosyl core, resulting in a Man5 glycan. This is also a desiredstarting material for the remodeling process of the present invention.Specific examples of the generation of such glycan structures aredescribed herein.

c) Alternatively, it is possible to genetically engineer a cell toconfer upon it a specific glycosylation machinery such that a peptidehaving an elemental trimannosyl core or Man3GlcNAc4 structure as thesole glycan structure on the peptide is produced. DNA encoding a peptideof choice is then transfected into the cell wherein the DNA istranscribed, translated and glycosylated such that the peptide of choicehas an increased number of glycans comprising solely an elementaltrimannosyl core structure. For example, certain types of cells that aregenetically engineered to lack GnT-I, may produce a glycan having anelemental trimannosyl core structure, or, depending on the cell, mayproduce a glycan having a trimannosyl core plus two additional mannoseresidues attached thereto (Man5). When the cell produces a Man5 glycanstructure, the cell may be further genetically engineered to expressmannosidase 3 which cleaves off the two additional mannose residues togenerate the trimannosyl core. Alternatively, the Man5 glycan may beincubated in vitro with mannosidase 3 to have the same effect.

d) It is readily apparent from the discussion in b) and c) that it isnot necessary that the cells produce only peptides having elementaltrimannosyl core or Man3GlcNAc4 structures attached thereto. Rather,unless the cells described in b) and c) produce peptides having 100%elemental trimannosyl core structures (i.e., having no additional sugarsattached thereto) or 100% of Man3GlcNAc4 structures, the cells in factproduce a heterogeneous mixture of peptides having, in combination,elemental trimannosyl core structures, or Man3GlcNAc4 structures, as thesole glycan structure in addition to these structures having additionalsugars attached thereto. The proportion of peptides having a trimannosylcore or Man3GlcNAc4 structure having additional sugars attached thereto,as opposed to those having one structure, will vary depending on thecell which produces them. The complexity of the glycans (i.e. which andhow many sugars are attached to the trimannosyl core) will also varydepending on the cell which produces them.

e) Once a glycopeptide having an elemental trimannosyl core or atrimannosyl core with one or two GlcNAc residues attached thereto isproduced by following a), b) or c) above, according to the presentinvention, additional sugar molecules are added in vitro to thetrimannosyl core structure to generate a peptide having desiredglycosylation (i.e., a peptide having an in vitro customized glycanstructure).

f) However, when it is the case that a peptide having an elementaltrimannosyl core or Man3GlcNAc4 structure with some but not all of thedesired sugars attached thereto is produced, then it is only necessaryto add any remaining desired sugars without reducing the glycanstructure to the elemental trimannosyl core or Man3GlcNAc4 structure.Therefore, in some cases, a peptide having a glycan structure having atrimannosyl core structure with additional sugars attached thereto, willbe a suitable substrate for remodeling.

Isolation of an Elemental Trimannosyl Core Glycopeptide

The elemental trimannosyl core or Man3GlcNAc4 glycopeptides of theinvention may be isolated and purified, if necessary, using techniqueswell known in the art of peptide purification. Suitable techniquesinclude chromatographic techniques, isoelectric focusing techniques,ultrafiltration techniques and the like. Using any such techniques, acomposition of the invention can be prepared in which the glycopeptidesof the invention are isolated from other peptides and from othercomponents normally found within cell culture media The degree ofpurification can be, for example, 90% with respect to other peptides or95%, or even higher, e.g., 98%. See, e.g., Deutscher et al. (ed., 1990,Guide to Peptide Purification, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, San Diego).

The heterogeneity of N-linked glycans present in the glycopeptidesproduced by the prior art methodology generally only permits theisolation of a small portion of the target glycopeptides which can bemodified to produce desired glycopeptides. In the present methods, largequantities of elemental trimannosyl core glycopeptides and other desiredglycopeptides, including Man3GlcNAc4 glycans, can be produced which canthen be further modified to generate large quantities of peptides havingdesired glycosylation.

Specific enrichment of any particular type of glycan bound to a peptidemay be accomplished using lectins which have an affinity for the desiredglycan. Such techniques are well known in the art of glycobiology.

A key feature of the invention which is described in more detail below,is that once a core glycan structure is generated on any peptide, theglycan structure is then remodeled in vitro to generate a peptide havingdesired glycosylation that has improved therapeutic use in a mammal. Themammal may be any type of suitable mammal, and is preferably a human.

The various scenarios and the precise methods and compositions forgenerating peptides with desired glycosylation will become evident fromthe disclosure which follows.

The ultimate objective of the production of peptides for therapeutic usein mammals is that the peptides should comprise glycan structures thatfacilitate rather than negate the therapeutic benefit of the peptide. Asdisclosed throughout the present specification, peptides produced incells may be treated in vitro with a variety of enzymes which catalyzethe cleavage of sugars that should not be present on the glycan and theaddition of sugars which should be present on the glycan such that apeptide having desired glycosylation and thus suitable for therapeuticuse in mammals is generated. The generation of different glycoforms ofpeptides in cells is described above. A variety of mechanisms for thegeneration of peptides having desired glycosylation is now described,where the starting material i.e., the peptide produced by a cell maydiffer from one cell type to another. As will become apparent from thepresent disclosure, it is not necessary that the starting material beuniform with respect to its glycan composition. However, it ispreferable that the starting material be enriched for certain glycoformsin order that large quantities of end product, i.e., correctlyglycosylated peptides are produced.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, thedegradation and synthesis events that result in a peptide having desiredglycosylation involve at some point, the generation of an elementaltrimannosyl core structure or a Man3GlcNAc4 structure on the peptide.

The present invention also provides means of adding one or more selectedglycosyl residues to a peptide, after which a modified sugar isconjugated to at least one of the selected glycosyl residues of thepeptide. The present embodiment is useful, for example, when it isdesired to conjugate the modified sugar to a selected glycosyl residuethat is either not present on a peptide or is not present in a desiredamount. Thus, prior to coupling a modified sugar to a peptide, theselected glycosyl residue is conjugated to the peptide by enzymatic orchemical coupling. In another embodiment, the glycosylation pattern of apeptide is altered prior to the conjugation of the modified sugar by theremoval of a carbohydrate residue from the peptide. See for example WO98/31826.

Addition or removal of any carbohydrate moieties present on the peptideis accomplished either chemically or enzymatically. Chemicaldeglycosylation is preferably brought about by exposure of the peptidevariant to the compound trifuoromethanesulfonic acid, or an equivalentcompound. This treatment results in the cleavage of most or all sugarsexcept the linking sugar (N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine),while leaving the peptide intact Chemical deglycosylation is describedby Haldmuddin et al., 1987, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 259: 52 and by Edgeet al., 1981, Anal. Biochem. 118: 131. Enzymatic cleavage ofcarbohydrate moieties on peptide variants can be achieved by the use ofa variety of endo- and exo-glycosidases as described by Thotakura etal., 1987, Meth. Enzymol. 138: 350.

Chemical addition of glycosyl moieties is carried out by anyart-recognized method. Enzymatic addition of sugar moieties ispreferably achieved using a modification of the methods set forthherein, substituting native glycosyl units for the modified sugars usedin the invention. Other methods of adding sugar moieties are disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,876,980, 6,030,815, 5,728,554, and 5,922,577.

Exemplary attachment points for selected glycosyl residue include, butare not limited to: (a) sites for N- and O-glycosylation; (b) terminalglycosyl moieties that are acceptors for a glycosyltransferase; (c)arginine, asparagine and histidine; (d) free carboxyl groups; (e) freesulfhydryl groups such as those of cysteine; (f) free hydroxyl groupssuch as those of serine, threonine, or hydroxyproline; (g) aromaticresidues such as those of phenylalanine, tyrosine, or tryptophan; or (h)the amide group of glutamine. Exemplary methods of use in the presentinvention are described in WO 87/05330 published Sep. 11, 1987, and inAplin and Wriston, CRC Crit. Rev. Biochem., pp. 259-306 (1981).

Dealing specifically with the examples shown in several of the figuresprovided herein, a description of the sequence of in vitro enzymaticreactions for the production of desired glycan structures on peptides isnow presented. The precise reaction conditions for each of the enzymaticconversions disclosed below are well known to those skilled in the artof glycobiology and are therefore not repeated here. For a review of thereaction conditions for these types of reactions, see Sadler et al.,1982, Methods in Enzymology 83:458-514 and references cited therein.

In FIG. 2 there is shown the structure of an elemental trimannosyl coreglycan on the left side. It is possible to convert this structure to acomplete glycan structure having a bisecting GlcNAc by incubating theelemental trimannosyl core structure in the presence of GnT-I, followedby GnT-II, and further followed by GnT-II, and a sugar donor comprisingUDP-GlcNAc, wherein GlcNAc is sequentially added to the elementaltrimannosyl core structure to generate a trimannosyl core having abisecting GlcNAc.

In FIG. 4 there is shown the conversion of a bisecting GlcNAc containingtrimannosyl core glycan to a complex glycan structure comprisinggalactose and N-acetyl neuraminic acid. The bisecting GlcNAc containingtrimannosyl core glycan is first incubated with galactosyltransferaseand UDP-Gal as a donor molecule, wherein two galactose residues areadded to the peripheral GlcNAc residues on the molecule. The enzymeNeuAc-transferase is then used to add two NeuAc residues one to each ofthe galactose residues.

In FIG. 5 there is shown the conversion of a high mannose glycanstructure to an elemental trimannosyl core glycan. The high mannoseglycan (Man9) is incubated sequentially in the presence of themannosidase I to generate a ManS structure and then in the presence ofmannosidase 3, wherein all but three mannose residues are removed fromthe glycan. Alternatively, incubation of the Man9 structure may betrimmed back to the trimannosyl core structure solely by incubation inthe presence of mannosidase 3. According to the schemes presented inFIGS. 2 and 4 above, conversion of this elemental trimannosyl coreglycan to a complex glycan molecule is then possible.

In FIG. 6 there is shown a typical complex N-linked glycan structureproduced in plant cells. It is important to note that when plant cellsare deficient in GNT-I enzymatic activity, xylose and facose cannot beadded to the glycan. Thus, the use of GnT-I knock-out cells provides aparticular advantage in the present invention in that these cellsproduce peptides having an elemental trimannosyl core onto whichadditional sugars can be added without performing any “trimming back”reactions. Similarly, in instances where the structure produced in aplant cell may be of the ManS variety of glycan, if GnT-I is absent inthese cells, xylose and facose cannot be added to the structure. In thiscase, the ManS structure may be trimmed back to an elemental trimannosylcore (Man3) using mannosidase 3. According to the methods providedherein, it is now possible to add desired sugar moieties to thetrimannosyl core to generate a desired glycan structure.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a typical complex N-linked glycan structureproduced in insect cells. As is evident, additional sugars, such as, forexample, fucose may also be present. Further although not shown here,insect cells may produce high mannose glycans having as many as ninemannose residues and may have additional sugars attached thereto. It isalso the case in insect cells that GnT-I knock out cells prevent theaddition of fucose residues to the glycan. Thus, production of a peptidein insect cells is preferably accomplished in a GnT-I knock out cell.The glycan thus produced may then be trimmed back in vitro if necessaryusing any of the methods and schemes described herein, and additionalsugars may be added in vitro thereto also using the methods and schemesprovided herein.

In FIG. 3 there is shown glycan structures in various stages ofcompletion. Specifically, the in vitro enzymatic generation of anelemental trimannosyl core structure from a complex carbohydrate glycanstructure which does not contain a bisecting GlcNAc residue is shown.Also shown is the generation of a glycan structure therefrom whichcontains a bisecting GlcNAc. Several intermediate glycan structureswhich can be produced are shown. These structures can be produced bycells, or can be produced in the in vitro trimming back reactionsdescribed herein. Sugar moieties may be added in vitro to the elementaltrimannosyl core structure, or to any suitable intermediate structure inorder that a desired glycan is produced.

In FIG. 8 there is shown a series of possible in vitro reactions whichcan be performed to trim back and add onto glycans beginning with a highmannose structure. For example, a Man9 glycan may be trimmed usingmannosidase 1 to generate a Man5 glycan, or it may be trimmed to atrimannosyl core using mannosidase 3 or one or more microbialmannosidases. GnT-I and or GnT-II may then be used to transferadditional GlcNAc residues onto the glycan. Further, there is shown thesituation which would-not occur when the glycan molecule is produced ina cell that does not have GNT-I (see shaded box). For example, fucoseand xylose may be added to a glycan only when GnT-I is active andfacilitates the transfer of a GlcNAc to the molecule.

FIG. 9 depicts well know strategies for the synthesis of biantennary,triantennary and even tetraantennary glycan structures beginning withthe trimannosyl core structure. According to the methods of theinvention, it is possible to synthesize each of these structures invitro using the appropriate enzymes and reaction conditions well knownin the art of glycobiology.

In FIG. 10 there is shown a scheme for the synthesis of yet more complexcarbohydrate structures beginning with a trimannosyl core structure. Forexample, a scheme for the in vitro production of Lewis x and Lewis aantigen structures, which may or may not be sialylated is shown. Suchstructures when present on a peptide may confer on the peptideimmunological advantages for upregulating or downregulating the immuneresponse. In addition, such structures are useful for targeting thepeptide to specific cells, in that these types of structures areinvolved in binding to cell adhesion peptides and the like.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary scheme for preparing an array of O-linkedpeptides originating with serine or threonine.

FIG. 12 is a series of diagrams depicting the four types of O-linkedglycan structure termed cores 1 through 4. The core structure isoutlined in dotted lines. Sugars which may also be included in thisstructure include sialic acid residues added to the galactose residues,and fucose residues added to the GlcNAc residues.

Thus, in preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a methodof making an N-linked glycosylated glycopeptide by providing an isolatedand purified glycopeptide to which is attached an elemental trimannosylcore or a Man3GlcNAc4 structure, contacting the glycopeptide with aglycosyltransferase enzyme and a donor molecule having a glycosyl moietyunder conditions suitable to transfer the glycosyl moiety to theglycopeptide. Customization of a trimannosyl core glycopeptide orMan3GlcNAc4 glycopeptide to produce a peptide having a desiredglycosylation pattern is then accomplished by the sequential addition ofthe desired sugar moieties, using techniques well known in the art.

Determination of Glycan Primary Structure

When an N-linked glycopeptide is produced by a cell, as noted elsewhereherein, it may comprise a heterogeneous mixture of glycan structureswhich must be reduced to a common, generally elemental trimannosyl coreor Man3GlcNAc4 structure, prior to adding other sugar moieties thereto.In order to determine exactly which sugars should be removed from anyparticular glycan structure, it is sometimes necessary that the primaryglycan structure be identified. Techniques for the determination ofglycan primary structure are well know in the art and are described indetail, for example, in Montreuil, “Structure and Biosynthesis ofGlycopeptides” In Polysaccharides in Medicinal Applications, pp.273-327, 1996, Eds. Severian Damitriu, Marcel Dekker, NY. It istherefore a simple matter for one skilled in the art of glycobiology toisolate a population of peptides produced by a cell and determine thestructure(s) of the glycans attached thereto. For example, efficientmethods are available for (i) the splitting of glycosidic bonds eitherby chemical cleavage such as hydrolysis, acetolysis, hydrazinolysis, orby nitrous deamination; (ii) complete methylation followed by hydrolysisor methanolysis and by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopyof the partially methylated monosaccharides; and (iii) the definition ofanomeric linkages between monosaccharides using exoglycosidases, whichalso provide insight into the primary glycan structure by sequentialdegradation. In particular, the techniques of mass spectroscopy andnuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry, especially high field NMRhave been successfully used to determine glycan primary structure.

Kits and equipment for carbohydrate analysis are also commerciallyavailable. Fluorophore Assisted Carbohydrate Electrophoresis (FACE®) isavailable from Glyko, Inc. (Novato, Calif.). In FACE analysis,glycoconjugates are released from the peptide with either Endo H orN-glycanase (PNGase F) for N-linked glycans, or hydrazine for Ser/Thrlinked glycans. The glycan is then labeled at the reducing end with afluorophore in a non-structure discriminating manner. The fluorophorelabeled glycans are then separated in polyacrylamide gels based on thecharge/mass ratio of the saccharide as well as the hydrodynamic volume.Images are taken of the gel under UV light and the composition of theglycans are determined by the migration distance as compared with thestandards. Oligosaccharides can be sequenced in this manner by analyzingmigration shifts due to the sequential removal of saccharides byexoglycosidase digestion.

Exemplary Embodiment

The remodeling of N-linked glycosylation is best illustrated withreference to Formula 1:

where X³, X⁴, X⁵, X⁶, X⁷ and X¹⁷ are (independently selected)monosaccharide or oligosaccharide residues; and

a, b, c, d, e and x are (independently selected) 0, 1 or 2, with theproviso that at least one member selected from a, b, c, d, e and x are 1or 2.

Formula 1 describes glycan structure comprising the tri-mannosyl core,which is preferably covalently linked to an asparagine residue on apeptide backbone. Preferred expression systems will express and secreteexogenous peptides with N-linked glycans comprising the tri-mannosylcore. Using the remodeling method of the invention, the glycanstructures on these peptides can be conveniently remodeled to any glycanstructure desired. Exemplary reaction conditions are found throughoutthe examples and in the literature.

In preferred embodiments, the glycan structures are remodeled so thatthe structure described in Formula 1 has specific determinates. Thestructure of the glycan can be chosen to enhance the biological activityof the peptide, give the peptide a new biological activity, remove thebiological activity of peptide, or better approximate the glycosylationpattern of the native peptide, among others.

In the first preferred embodiment, the peptide N-linked glycans areremodeled to better approximate the glycosylation pattern of nativehuman proteins in this embodiment, the glycan structure described inFormula 1 is remodeled to have the following moieties:

X³ and X⁵=|-GlcNAc-Gal-SA;

a and c=1;

d=0 or 1;

b, e and x=0.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous for human peptidesexpressed in heterologous cellular expression systems. By remodeling theN-linked glycan structures to this configuration, the peptide can bemade less immunogenic in a human patient, and/or more stable, amongothers.

In the second preferred embodiment, the peptide N-linked glycans areremodeled to have a bisecting GlcNAc residue on the tri-mannosyl core.In this embodiment, the glycan structure described in Formula 1 isremodeled to have the following moieties:

X³ and X⁵ are |-GlcNAc-Gal-SA;

a and c=1;

X⁴ is GlcNAc;

b=1;

d=0 or 1;

e and x=0.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous for recombinant antibodymolecules expressed in heterologous cellular systems. When the antibodymolecule includes a Fc-mediated cellular cytotoxicity, it is known thatthe presence of bisected oligosaccharides linked the Fc domaindramatically increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

In a third preferred embodiment, the peptide N-linked glycans areremodeled to have a sialylated Lewis X moiety. In this embodiment, theglycan structure described in Formula 1 is remodeled to have thefollowing moieties:

X³and X⁵ are

a, c, d=1;

b, e and x=0;

X⁶=fucose.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the peptide which isbeing remodeling is intended to be targeted to selectin molecules andcells exhibiting the same.

In a fourth preferred embodiment, the peptide N-linked glycans areremodeled to have a conjugated moiety. The conjugated moiety may be aPEG molecule, another peptide, a small molecule such as a drug, amongothers. In this embodiment, the glycan structure described in Formula 1is remodeled to have the following moieties:

X³ and X⁵ are |-GlcNAc-Gal-SA-R;

a and c=1 or 2;

d=0 or 1;

b, d, e and x=0;

where R=conjugate group.

The conjugated moiety may be a PEG molecule, another peptide, a smallmolecule such as a drug, among others. This embodiment therefore isuseful for conjugating the peptide to PEG molecules that will slow theclearance of the peptide from the patient's bloodstream, to peptidesthat will target both peptides to a specific tissue or cell, or toanother peptide of complementary therapeutic use.

It will be clear to one of skill in the art that the invention is notlimited to the preferred glycan molecules described above. The preferredembodiments are only a few of the many useful glycan molecules that canbe made by the remodeling method of the invention. Those skilled in theart will know how to design other useful glycans.

In the first exemplary embodiments, the peptide is expressed in a CHO(Chinese hamster ovarian cell line) according to methods well known inthe art. When a peptide with N-linked glycan consensus sites isexpressed and secreted from CHO cells, the N-linked glycans will havethe structures depicted in top row of FIG. 3. While all of thesestructures may be present, by far the most common structures are the twoat the right side. In the terms of Formula 1,

X³ and X⁵ are |-GlcNAc-Gal-(SA);

a and c=1;

b, d, e and x=0.

Therefore, in one exemplary embodiment, the N-linked glycans of peptidesexpressed in CHO cells are remodeled to the preferred humanized glycanby contacting the peptides with a glycosyltransferase that is specificfor a galactose acceptor molecule and a sialic acid donor molecule. Thisprocess is illustrated in FIG. 3 and Example 2. In another exemplaryembodiment, the N-linked glycans of a peptide expressed and secretedfrom CHO cells are remodeled to be the preferred PEGylated structures.The peptide is first contacted with a glycosidase specific for sialicacid to remove the terminal SA moiety, and then contacted with aglycosyltransferase specific for a galactose acceptor moiety and ansialic acid acceptor moiety, in the presence of PEG-sialicacid-nucleotide donor molecules. Optionally, the peptide may then becontacted with a glycosyltransferase specific for a galactose acceptormoiety and an sialic acid acceptor moiety, in the presence of sialicacid-nucleotide donor molecules to ensure complete the SA capping of allof the glycan molecules.

In other exemplary embodiments, the peptide is expressed in insectcells, such the SF-9 cell line, according to methods well known in theart. When a peptide with N-linked glycan consensus sites is expressedand secreted from SF-9 cells, the N-linked glycans will often have thestructures depicted in top row of FIG. 7. In the terms of Formula 1:

X³ and X⁵ are |-GlcNAc;

a and c=0 or 1;

b=0;

X⁶ is fucose,

d=0, 1 or 2; and

e and x=0.

The trimannose core is present in the vast majority of the N-linkedglycans made by insect cells, and sometimes an antennary GlcNAc and/orfucose residue(s) are also present. In one exemplary embodiment, theN-linked glycans of a peptide expressed and secreted from insect cellsis remodeled to the preferred humanized glycan by first contacting theglycans with a glycosidase specific to fucose molecules, then contactingthe glycans with a glycosyltransferases specific to the mannose acceptormolecule on each antennary of the trimannose core, a GlcNAc donormolecule in the presence of nucleotide-GlcNAc molecules; then contactingthe glycans with a glycosyltransferase specific to a GlcNAc acceptormolecule, a Gal donor molecule in the presence of nucleotide-Galmolecules; and then contacting the glycans with a glycosyltransferasespecific to a galactose acceptor molecule, a sialic acid donor moleculein the presence of nucleotide-SA molecules. One of skill in the art willappreciate that the fucose molecules, if any, can be removed at any timeduring the procedure. In another exemplary embodiment, the humanizedglycan of the previous example is remodeled further to the sialylatedLewis X glycan by contacting the glycan further with aglycosyltransferase specific to a GlcNAc acceptor molecule, a fucosedonor molecule in the presence of nucleotide-fucose molecules. Thisprocess is illustrated in FIG. 10 and Example 3.

In yet other exemplary embodiments, the peptide is expressed in yeast,such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, according to methods well known in theart. When a peptide with N-linked glycan consensus sites is expressedand secreted from S. cerevisiae cells, the N-linked glycans will havethe structures depicted at the left in FIG. 5. The N-linked glycans willalways have the trimannosyl core, which will often be elaborated withmannose or related polysaccharides of up to 1000 residues. In the termsof Formula 1:

X³ and X⁵=|-Man-Man-(Man)₀₋₁₀₀₀;

a and c=1 or 2;

b, d, e and x=0.

In one exemplary embodiment, the N-linked glycans of a peptide expressedand secreted from yeast cells are remodeled to the elemental trimannosecore by first contacting the glycans with a glycosidase specific to α2mannose molecules, then contacting the glycans with a glycosidasespecific to α6 mannose molecules. This process is illustrated in FIG. 5and Example 6. In another exemplary embodiment, the N-linked glycans arefurther remodeled to make a glycan suitable for an recombinant antibodywith Fc-mediated cellular toxicity function by contacting the elementaltrimannose core glycans with a glycosyltransferase specific to themannose acceptor molecule on each antennary of the trimannose core, aGlcNAc donor molecule in the presence of nucleotide-GlcNAc molecules;then contacting the glycans with a glycosyltransferase specific to themannose acceptor molecule in the middle of the trimannose core, a GlcNAcdonor molecule in the presence of nucleotide-GlcNAc molecules; thencontacting the glycans with a glycosyltransferase specific to a GlcNAcacceptor molecule, a Gal donor molecule in the presence ofnucleotide-Gal molecules; and then contacting the glycans with aglycosyltransferase specific to a galactose acceptor molecule, a sialicacid donor molecule in the presence of nucleotide-SA molecules. Thisprocess is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

In another exemplary embodiment, the peptide is expressed in bacterialcells, in particular E. coli cells, according to methods well known inthe art. When a peptide with N-linked glycans consensus sites isexpressed in E. coli cells, the N-linked consensus sites will not beglycosylated. In an exemplary embodiment, a humanized glycan molecule isbuilt out from the peptide backbone by contacting the peptides with aglycosyltransferase specific for a N-linked consensus site and a GlcNAcdonor molecule in the presence of nucleotide-GlcNAc; and furthersequentially contacting the growing glycans with glycosyltransferasesspecific for the acceptor and donor moieties in the present of therequired donor moiety until the desired glycan structure is completed.When a peptide with N-linked glycans is expressed in a eukaryotic cellsbut without the proper leader sequences that direct the nascent peptideto the golgi apparatus, the mature peptide is likely not to beglycosylated. In this case as well the peptide may be given N-linkedglycosylation by building out from the peptide N-linked consensus siteas aforementioned. When a protein is chemically modified with a sugarmoiety, it can be built out as aforementioned.

These examples are meant to illustrate the invention, and not to limitit. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the steps taken in eachexample may in some circumstances be able to be performed in a differentorder to get the same result. One of skill in the art will alsounderstand that a different set of steps may also produce the sameresulting glycan. The preferred remodeled glycan is by no means specificto the expression system that the peptide is expressed in. The remodeledglycans are only illustrative and one of skill in the art will know howto take the principles from these examples and apply them to peptidesproduced in different expression systems to make glycans notspecifically described herein.

B. Method to Remodel O-linked Glycans

O-glycosylation is characterized by the attachment of a variety ofmonosaccharides in an O-glycosidic linkage to hydroxy amino acids.O-glycosylation is a widespread post-translational modification in theanimal and plant kingdoms. The structural complexity of glycans O-linkedto proteins vastly exceeds that of N-linked glycans. Serine or threonineresidues of a newly translated peptide become modified by virtue of apeptidyl GalNAc transferase in the cis to trans compartments of theGolgi. The site of O-glycosylation is determined not only by thesequence specificity of the glycosyltransferase, but also epigeneticregulation mediated by competition between different substrate sites andcompetition with other glycosyltransferases responsible for forming theglycan.

The O-linked glycan has been arbitrarily defined as having threeregions: the core, the backbone region and the peripheral region. The“core” region of an O-linked glycan is the inner most two or threesugars of the glycan chain proximal to the peptide. The backbone regionmainly contributes to the length of the glycan chain formed by uniformelongation The peripheral region exhibits a high degree of structuralcomplexity. The structural complexity of the O-linked glycans beginswith the core structure. In most cases, the first sugar residue added atthe O-linked glycan consensus site is GalNAc; however the sugar may alsobe GlcNAc, glucose, mannose, galactose or facose, among others. FIG. 11is a diagram of some of the known O-linked glycan core structures andthe enzymes responsible for their in vivo synthesis.

In mammalian cells, at least eight different O-linked core structuresare found, all based on a core-a-GalNAc residue. The four corestructures depicted in FIG. 12 are the most common. Core 1 and core 2are the most abundant structures in mammalian cells, and core 3 and core4 are found in more restricted, organ-characteristic expression systems.O-linked glycans are reviewed in Montreuil, Structure and Synthesis ofGlycopeptides, In Polysaccharides in Medicinal Applications, pp.273-327, 1996, Eds. Severian Damitriu, Marcel Dekker, NY, and inSchachter and Brockhausen, The Biosynthesis of Branched O-LinkedGlycans, 1989, Society for Experimental Biology, pp. 1-26 (GreatBritain).

It will be apparent from the present disclosure that the glycanstructure of O-glycosylated peptides can be remodeled using similartechniques to those described for N-linked glycans. O-glycans differfrom N-glycans in that they are linked to a serine or threonine residuerather than an asparagine residue. As described herein with respect toN-glycan remodeling, hydrolytic enzymes can be used to cleave unwantedsugar moieties in an O-linked glycan and additional desired sugars canthen be added thereto, to build a customized O-glycan structure on thepeptide (See FIGS. 11 and 12).

The initial step in O-glycosylation in mammalian cells is the attachmentof N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) using any of a family of at leasteleven known α-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases, each of which has arestricted acceptor peptide specificity. Generally, the acceptor peptiderecognized by each enzyme constitutes a sequence of at least ten aminoacids. Peptides that contain the amino acid sequence recognized by oneparticular GalNAc-transferase become O-glycosylated at the acceptor siteif they are expressed in a cell expressing the enzyme and if they areappropriately localized to the Golgi apparatus where UDP-GalNAc is alsopresent.

However, in the case of recombinant proteins, the initial attachment ofthe GalNAc may not take place. The α-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferaseenzyme native to the expressing cell may have a consensus sequencespecificity which differs from that of the recombinant peptide beingexpressed.

The desired recombinant peptide may be expressed in a bacterial cell,such as E. coli, that does not synthesize glycan chains. In these cases,it is advantageous to add the initial GalNAc moiety in vitro. The GalNAcmoiety can be introduced in vitro onto the peptide once the recombinantpeptide has been recovered in a soluble form, by contacting the peptidewith the appropriate GalNAc transferase in the presence of UDP-GalNAc.

In one embodiment, an additional sequence of amino acids that constitutean effective acceptor for transfer of an O-linked sugar may be present.Such an amino acid sequence is encoded by a DNA sequence fused in frameto the coding sequence of the peptide, or alternatively, may beintroduced by chemical means. The peptide may be otherwise lackingglycan chains. Alternately, the peptide may have N- and/or O-linkedglycan chains but require an additional glycosylation site, for example,when an additional glycan substituent is desired.

In an exemplary embodiment, the amino acid sequence PTTTK-COOH, which isthe natural GalNAc acceptor sequence in the human mucin MUC-1, is addedas a fusion tag. The fusion protein is then expressed in E. coli andpurified. The peptide is then contacted with recombinant humanGalNAc-transferases T3 or T6 in the presence of UDP-GalNAc to transfer aGalNAc residue onto the peptide in vitro.

This glycan chain on the peptide may then be further elongated using themethods described in reference to the N-linked or O-linked glycansherein. Alternatively, the GalNAc transferase reaction can be carriedout in the presence of UDP-GalNAc to which PEG is covalently substitutedin the 0-3, 4, or 6 positions or the N-2 position. Glycoconjugation isdescribed in detail elsewhere herein. Any antigenicity introduced intothe peptide by the new peptide sequence can be conveniently masked byPEGylation of the associated glycan. The acceptor site fusion techniquecan be used to introduce not only a PEG moiety, but to introduce otherglycan and non-glycan moieties, including, but not limited to, toxins,anti-infectives, cytotoxic agents, chelators for radionucleotides, andglycans with other functionalities, such as tissue targeting.

Exemplary Embodiments

The remodeling of O-linked glycosylation is best illustrated withreference to Formula 2:

Formula 2 describes a glycan structure comprising a GalNAc which iscovalently linked preferably to a serine or threonine residue on apeptide backbone. While this structure is used to illustrate the mostcommon forms of O-linked glycans, it should not be construed to limitthe invention solely to these O-linked glycans. Other forms of O-linkedglycans are illustrated in FIG. 11. Preferred expression systems usefulin the present invention express and secrete exogenous peptides havingO-linked glycans comprising the GalNAc residue. Using the remodelingmethods of the invention, the glycan structures on these peptides can beconveniently remodeled to generate any desired glycan structure. One ofskill in the art will appreciate that O-linked glycans can be remodeledusing the same principles, enzymes and reaction conditions as thoseavailable in the art once armed with the present disclosure. Exemplaryreaction conditions are found throughout the Examples.

In preferred embodiments, the glycan structures are remodeled so thatthe structure described in Formula 2 has specific moieties. Thestructure of the glycan maybe chosen to enhance the biological activityof the peptide, confer upon the peptide a new biological activity,remove or alter a biological activity of peptide, or better approximatethe glycosylation pattern of the native peptide, among others.

In the first preferred embodiment, the peptide O-linked glycans areremodeled to better approximate the glycosylation pattern of nativehuman proteins. In this embodiment, the glycan structure described inFormula 2 is remodeled to have the following moieties:

X² is |-SA; or |-SA-SA;

f and n=0 or 1;

X¹⁰ is SA;

m=0.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous for human peptidesexpressed in heterologous cellular expression systems. By remodeling theO-linked glycan structures to have this configuration, the peptide canbe rendered less immunogenic in a human patient and/or more stable.

In the another preferred embodiment, the peptide O-linked glycans areremodeled to display a sialylated Lewis X antigen. In this embodiment,the glycan structure described in Formula 2 is remodeled to have thefollowing moieties:

X² is |-SA;

X¹⁰ is Fuc or |-GlcNAc(Fuc)-Gal-SA;

f and n=1;

m=0.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the peptide which isbeing remodeled is most effective when targeted to a selectin moleculeand cells exhibiting the same.

In a yet another preferred embodiment, the peptide O-linked glycans areremodeled to contain a conjugated moiety. The conjugated moiety may be aPEG molecule, another peptide, a small molecule such as a drug, amongothers. In this embodiment, the glycan structure described in Formula 2is remodeled to have the following moieties:

X² is |-SA-R;

f=1;

n and m=0;

where R is the conjugate group.

This embodiment is useful for conjugating the peptide to PEG moleculesthat will slow the clearance of the peptide from the patient'sbloodstream, to peptides that will target both peptides to a specifictissue or cell or to another peptide of complementary therapeutic use.

It will be clear to one of skill in the art that the invention is notlimited to the preferred glycan molecules described above. The preferredembodiments are only a few of the many useful glycan molecules that canbe made using the remodeling methods of the invention. Those skilled inthe art will know how to design other useful glycans once armed with thepresent invention.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the peptide is expressed in a CHO(Chinese hamster cell line) according to methods well known in the art.When a peptide with O-linked glycan consensus sites is expressed andsecreted from CHO cells, the majority of the O-linked glycans will oftenhave the structure, in the terms of Formula 2,

X²=|-SA;

f=1;

m and n=0.

Therefore, most of the glycans in CHO cells do not require remodeling inorder to be acceptable for use in a human patient. In an exemplaryembodiment, the O-linked glycans of a peptide expressed and secretedfrom a CHO cell are remodeled to contain a sialylated Lewis X structureby contacting the glycans with a glycosyltransferase specific for theGalNAc acceptor moiety and the fucose donor moiety in the presence ofnucleotide-fucose. This process is illustrated on N-linked glycans inFIG. 10 and Example 3.

In other exemplary embodiments, the peptide is expressed in insect cellssuch as sf9 according to methods well known in the art. When a peptidehaving O-linked glycan consensus sites is expressed and secreted frommost sf9 cells, the majority of the O-linked glycans have the structure,in the terms of Formula 2:

X²=H;

f=0 or 1;

n and m=0.

See, for example, Marchal et al., (2001, Biol. Chem. 382:151-159). Inone exemplary embodiment, the O-linked glycan on a peptide expressed inan insect cell is remodeled to a humanized glycan by contacting theglycans with a glycosyltransferase specific for a GalNAc acceptormolecule and a galactose donor molecule in the presence ofnucleotide-Gal; and then contacting the glycans with aglycosyltransferase specific for a Gal acceptor molecule and a SA donormolecule in the presence of nucleotide-SA. In another exemplaryembodiment, the O-linked glycans are remodeled further from thehumanized form to the sialylated Lewis X form by further contacting theglycans with a glycosyltransferase specific for a GalNAc acceptormolecule and a fucose donor molecule in the presence ofnucleotide-fucose.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the peptide is expressed in fungalcells, in particular S. cerevisiae cells, according to methods wellknown in the art. When a peptide with O-linked glycans consensus sitesis expressed and secreted from S. cerevisiae cells, the majority of theO-linked glycans have the structure:

|-AA-Man-Man₁₋₂.

See Gemmill and Trimble (1999, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1426:227-237). Inorder to remodel these O-linked glycans for use in human, it ispreferable that the glycan be cleaved at the amino acid level andrebuilt from there.

In an exemplary embodiment, the glycan is the O-linked glycan on apeptide expressed in a fungal cell and is remodeled to a humanizedglycan by contacting the glycan with an endoglycosylase specific for anamino acid—GalNAc bond; and then contacting the glycan with aglycosyltransferase specific for a O-linked consensus site and a GalNAcdonor molecule in the presence of nucleotide-GalNAc; contacting theglycan with a glycosyltransferase specific for a GalNAc acceptormolecule and a galactose donor molecule in the presence ofnucleotide-Gal; and then contacting the glycans with aglycosyltransferase specific for a Gal acceptor molecule and a SA donormolecule in the presence of nucleotide-SA.

Alternately, in another exemplary embodiment, the glycan is the O-linkedglycan on a peptide expressed in a fungal cell and is remodeled to ahumanized glycan by contacting the glycan with an protein O-mannoseβ-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (POMGnTI) in the presence ofGlcNAc-nucleotide; then contacting the glycan with angalactosyltransferase in the presence of nucleotide-Gal; and thencontracting the glycan with an sialyltransferase in the presence ofnucleotide-SA.

In another exemplary embodiment, the peptide is expressed in bacterialcells, in particular E. coli cells, according to methods well known inthe art. When a peptide with an O-linked glycan consensus site isexpressed in E. coli cells, the O-linked consensus site will not beglycosylated. In this case, the desired glycan molecule must be builtout from the peptide backbone in a manner similar to that describe forS. cerevisiae expression above. Further, when a peptide having anO-linked glycan is expressed in a eukaryotic cell without the properleader sequences to direct the nascent peptide to the golgi apparatus,the mature peptide is likely not to be glycosylated. In this case aswell, an O-linked glycosyl structure may be added to the peptide bybuilding out the glycan directly from the peptide O-linked consensussite. Further, when a protein is chemically modified with a sugarmoiety, it can also be remodeled as described herein.

These examples are meant to illustrate the invention, and not to limitit in any way. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the stepstaken in each example may in some circumstances be performed in adifferent order to achieve the same result. One of skill in the art willalso understand that a different set of steps may also produce the sameresulting glycan. Further, the preferred remodeled glycan is by no meansspecific to the expression system that the peptide is expressed in. Theremodeled glycans are only illustrative and one of skill in the art willknow how to take the principles from these examples and apply them topeptides produced in different expression systems to generate glycansnot specifically described herein.

C. Glycoconjugation, in General

The invention provides methods of preparing a conjugate of aglycosylated or an unglycosylated peptide. The conjugates of theinvention are formed between peptides and diverse species such aswater-soluble polymers, therapeutic moieties, diagnostic moieties,targeting moieties and the like. Also provided are conjugates thatinclude two or more peptides linked together through a linker arm, i.e.,multifunctional conjugates. The multi-functional conjugates of theinvention can include two or more copies of the same peptide or acollection of diverse peptides with different structures, and/orproperties.

The conjugates of the invention are formed by the enzymatic attachmentof a modified sugar to the glycosylated or unglycosylated peptide. Themodified sugar, when interposed between the peptide and the modifyinggroup on the sugar becomes what is referred to herein as “an intactglycosyl linking group.” Using the exquisite selectivity of enzymes,such as glycosyltransferases, the present method provides peptides thatbear a desired group at one or more specific locations. Thus, accordingto the present invention, a modified sugar is attached directly to aselected locus on the peptide chain or, alternatively, the modifiedsugar is appended onto a carbohydrate moiety of a peptide. Peptides inwhich modified sugars are bound to both a peptide carbohydrate anddirectly to an amino acid residue of the peptide backbone are alsowithin the scope of the present invention.

In contrast to known chemical and enzymatic peptide elaborationstrategies, the methods of the invention make it possible to assemblepeptides and glycopeptides that have a substantially homogeneousderivatization pattern; the enzymes used in the invention are generallyselective for a particular amino acid residue or combination of aminoacid residues of the peptide. The methods are also practical forlarge-scale production of modified peptides and glycopeptides. Thus, themethods of the invention provide a practical means for large-scalepreparation of peptides having preselected substantially uniformderivatization patterns. The methods are particularly well suited formodification of therapeutic peptides, including but not limited to,peptides that are incompletely glycosylated during production in cellculture cells (e.g., mammalian cells, insect cells, plant cells, fungalcells, yeast cells, or prokaryotic cells) or transgenic plants oranimals.

The methods of the invention also provide conjugates of glycosylated andunglycosylated peptides with increased therapeutic half-life due to, forexample, reduced clearance rate, or reduced rate of uptake by the immuneor reticuloendothelial system (RES). Moreover, the methods of theinvention provide a means for masking antigenic determinants onpeptides, thus reducing or eliminating a host immune response againstthe peptide. Selective attachment of targeting agents can also be usedto target a peptide to a particular tissue or cell surface receptor thatis specific for the particular targeting agent. Moreover, there isprovided a class of peptides that are specifically modified with atherapeutic moiety.

1. The Conjugates

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a conjugate between apeptide and a selected moiety. The link between the peptide and theselected moiety includes an intact glycosyl linking group interposedbetween the peptide and the selected moiety. As discussed herein, theselected moiety is essentially any species that can be attached to asaccharide unit, resulting in a “modified sugar” that is recognized byan appropriate transferase enzyme, which appends the modified sugar ontothe peptide. The saccharide component of the modified sugar, wheninterposed between the peptide and a selected moiety, becomes an “intactglycosyl linking group.” The glycosyl linking group is formed from anymono- or oligo-saccharide that, after modification with a selectedmoiety, is a substrate for an appropriate transferase.

The conjugates of the invention will typically correspond to the generalstructure:

in which the symbols a, b, c, d and s represent a positive, non-zerointeger; and t is either 0 or a positive integer. The “agent” is atherapeutic agent, a bioactive agent, a detectable label, water-solublemoiety or the like. The “agent” can be a peptide, e.g., enzyme,antibody, antigen, etc. The linker can be any of a wide array of linkinggroups, infra. Alternatively, the linker may be a single bond or a “zeroorder linker.” The identity of the peptide is without limitation.Exemplary peptides are provided in FIG. 1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the selected moiety is a water-solublepolymer. The water-soluble polymer is covalently attached to the peptidevia an intact glycosyl linking group. The glycosyl linking group iscovalently attached to either an amino acid residue or a glycosylresidue of the peptide. Alternatively, the glycosyl linking group isattached to one or more glycosyl units of a glycopeptide. The inventionalso provides conjugates in which the glycosyl linking group is attachedto both an amino acid residue and a glycosyl residue.

In addition to providing conjugates that are formed through anenzymatically added intact glycosyl linking group, the present inventionprovides conjugates that are highly homogenous in their substitutionpatterns. Using the methods of the invention, it is possible to formpeptide conjugates in which essentially all of the modified sugarmoieties across a population of conjugates of the invention are attachedto multiple copies of a structurally identical amino acid or glycosylresidue. Thus, in a second aspect, the invention provides a peptideconjugate having a population of water-soluble polymer moieties, whichare covalently bound to the peptide through an intact glycosyl linkinggroup. In a preferred conjugate of the invention, essentially eachmember of the population is bound via the glycosyl linking group to aglycosyl residue of the peptide, and each glycosyl residue of thepeptide to which the glycosyl linking group is attached has the samestructure.

Also provided is a peptide conjugate having a population ofwater-soluble polymer moieties covalently bound thereto through anintact glycosyl linking group. In a preferred embodiment, essentiallyevery member of the population of water soluble polymer moieties isbound to an amino acid residue of the peptide via an intact glycosyllinking group, and each amino acid residue having an intact glycosyllinking group attached thereto has the same structure.

The present invention also provides conjugates analogous to thosedescribed above in which the peptide is conjugated to a therapeuticmoiety, diagnostic moiety, targeting moiety, toxin moiety or the likevia an intact glycosyl linking group. Each of the above-recited moietiescan be a small molecule, natural polymer (e.g., peptide) or syntheticpolymer.

In an exemplary embodiment, interleulin-2 (IL-2) is conjugated totransferrin via a bifunctional linker that includes an intact glycosyllining group at each terminus of the PEG moiety (Scheme 1). For example,one terminus of the PEG linker is functionalized with an intact sialicacid linker that is attached to transferrin and the other isfunctionalized with an intact GalNAc linker that is attached to IL-2.

In another exemplary embodiment, EPO is conjugated to transferrin. Inanother exemplary embodiment, EPO is conjugated to glial derivedneurotropic growth factor (GDNF). In these embodiments, each conjugationis accomplished via a bifunctional linker that includes an intactglycosyl linking group at each terminus of the PEG moiety, asaforementioned. Transferrin transfers the protein across the blood brainbarrier.

As set forth in the Figures appended hereto, the conjugates of theinvention can include intact glycosyl linking groups that are mono- ormulti-valent (e.g., antennary structures), see, FIGS. 13-21. Theconjugates of the invention also include glycosyl linking groups thatare O-linked glycans originating from serine or threonine (FIG. 10).Thus, conjugates of the invention include both species in which aselected moiety is attached to a peptide via a monovalent glycosyllinking group. Also included within the invention are conjugates inwhich more than one selected moiety is attached to a peptide via amultivalent linking group. One or more proteins can be conjugatedtogether to take advantage of their biophysical and biologicalproperties.

In a still further embodiment, the invention provides conjugates thatlocalize selectively in a particular tissue due to the presence of atargeting agent as a component of the conjugate. In an exemplaryembodiment, the targeting agent is a protein. Exemplary proteins includetransferrin (brain, blood pool), human serum (HS)-glycoprotein (bone,brain, blood pool), antibodies (brain, tissue with antibody-specificantigen, blood pool), coagulation Factors V-XII (damaged tissue, clots,cancer, blood pool), serum proteins, e.g., α-acid glycoprotein, fetuin,α-fetal protein (brain, blood pool), β2-glycoprotein (liver,atherosclerosis plaques, brain, blood pool), G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, andEPO (immune stimulation, cancers, blood pool, red blood celloverproduction, neuroprotection), and albumin (increase in half-life).

In addition to the conjugates discussed above, the present inventionprovides methods for preparing these and other conjugates. Thus, in afurther aspect, the invention provides a method of forming a covalentconjugate between a selected moiety and a peptide. Additionally, theinvention provides methods for targeting conjugates of the invention toa particular tissue or region of the body.

In exemplary embodiments, the conjugate is formed between awater-soluble polymer, a therapeutic moiety, targeting moiety or abiomolecule, and a glycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide. Thepolymer, therapeutic moiety or biomolecule is conjugated to the peptidevia an intact glycosyl linking group, which is interposed between, andcovalently linked to both the peptide and the modifying group (e.g.,water-soluble polymer). The method includes contacting the peptide witha mixture containing a modified sugar and a glycosyltransferase forwhich the modified sugar is a substrate. The reaction is conducted underconditions sufficient to form a covalent bond between the modified sugarand the peptide. The sugar moiety of the modified sugar is preferablyselected from nucleotide sugars, activated sugars and sugars, which areneither nucleotides nor activated.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for lining two ormore peptides through a linking group. The linking group is of anyuseful structure and may be selected from straight-chain and branchedchain structures. Preferably, each terminus of the linker, which isattached to a peptide, includes a modified sugar (i.e., a nascent intactglycosyl linking group).

In an exemplary method of the invention, two peptides are linkedtogether via a linker moiety that includes a PEG linker. The constructconforms to the general structure set forth in the cartoon above. Asdescribed herein, the construct of the invention includes two intactglycosyl linking groups (i.e., s+t=1). The focus on a PEG linker thatincludes two glycosyl groups is for purposes of clarity and should notbe interpreted as limiting the identity of linker arms of use in thisembodiment of the invention.

Thus, a PEG moiety is functionalized at a first terminus with a firstglycosyl unit and at a second terminus with a second glycosyl unit. Thefirst and second glycosyl units are preferably substrates for differenttransferases, allowing orthogonal attachment of the first and secondpeptides to the first and second glycosyl units, respectively. Inpractice, the (glycosyl)¹-PEG-(glycosyl)² linker is contacted with thefirst peptide and a first transferase for which the first glycosyl unitis a substrate, thereby forming (peptide)¹-(glycosyl)¹-PEG-(glycosyl)².The first transferase and/or unreacted peptide is then optionallyremoved from the reaction mixture. The second peptide and a secondtransferase for which the second glycosyl unit is a substrate are addedto the (peptide)¹-(glycosyl)¹-PEG-(glycosyl)² conjugate, forming(peptide)¹-(glycosyl)¹-PEG-(glycosyl)²-(peptide)². Those of skill in theart will appreciate that the method outlined above is also applicable toforming conjugates between more than two peptides by, for example, theuse of a branched PEG, dendrimer, poly(amino acid), polysaccharide orthe like.

As noted previously, in an exemplary embodiment, interleukin-2 (IL-2) isconjugated to transferrin via a bifunctional linker that includes anintact glycosyl linking group at each terminus of the PEG moiety (Scheme1). The IL-2 conjugate has an in vivo half-life that is increased overthat of IL-2 alone by virtue of the greater molecular size of theconjugate. Moreover, the conjugation of IL-2 to transferrin serves toselectively target the conjugate to the brain. For example, one terminusof the PEG linker is functionalized with a CMP-sialic acid and the otheris functionalized with an UDP-GalNAc. The linker is combined with IL-2in the presence of a GalNAc transferase, resulting in the attachment ofthe GalNAc of the linker arm to a serine and/or threonine residue on theIL-2.

In another exemplary embodiment, transferrin is conjugated to a nucleicacid for use in gene therapy.

The processes described above can be carried through as many cycles asdesired, and is not limited to forming a conjugate between two peptideswith a single linker. Moreover, those of skill in the art willappreciate that the reactions functionalizing the intact glycosyllinking groups at the termini of the PEG (or other) linker with thepeptide can occur simultaneously in the same reaction vessel, or theycan be carried out in a step-wise fashion. When the reactions arecarried out in a step-wise manner, the conjugate produced at each stepis optionally purified from one or more reaction components (e.g.,enzymes, peptides).

A still further exemplary embodiment is set forth in Scheme 2. Scheme 2shows a method of preparing a conjugate that targets a selected protein,e.g., EPO, to bone and increases the circulatory half-life of theselected protein.

The use of reactive derivatives of PEG (or other linkers) to attach oneor more peptide moieties to the linker is within the scope of thepresent invention. The invention is not limited by the identity of thereactive PEG analogue. Many activated derivatives of poly(ethyleneglycol) are available commercially and in the literature. It is wellwithin the abilities of one of skill to choose, and synthesize ifnecessary, an appropriate activated PEG derivative with which to preparea substrate useful in the present invention. See, Abuchowski et al.Cancer Biochem. Biophys., 7: 175-186 (1984); Abuchowski et al., J. Biol.Chem., 252: 3582-3586 (1977); Jackson et al., Anal. Biochem., 165:114-127 (1987); Koide et al., Biochem Biophys. Res. Commun., 111:659-667 (1983)), tresylate (Nilsson et al., Methods Enzymol., 104: 56-69(1984); Delgado et al., Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem., 12: 119-128 (1990));N-hydroxysuccinimide derived active esters (Buckmann et al., Makromol.Chem., 182: 1379-1384 (1981); Joppich et al., Makcromol. Chem., 180:1381-1384 (1979); Abuchowski et al., Cancer Biochem. Biophys., 7:175-186 (1984); Katreet al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 84: 1487-1491(1987); Kitamura et al., Cancer Res., 51: 4310-4315 (1991); Boccu etal., Z. Naturforsch., 38C: 94-99 (1983), carbonates (Zalipsky et al.,POLY(ETHENE GLYCOL) CHEMISTRY: BIOTECINCAL AND BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS,Harris, Ed., Plenum Press, New York, 1992, pp. 347-370; Zalipsky et al.,Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem., 15: 100-114 (1992); Veronese et al., Appl.Biochem. Biotech., 11: 141-152 (1985)), imidazolyl formates (Beauchampet al., Anal. Biochem., 131: 25-33 (1983); Berger et al., Blood, 71:1641-1647 (1988)), 4-dithiopyridines (Woghiren et al., BioconjugateChem., 4: 314-318 (1993)), isocyanates (Byun et al., ASAIO Journal,M649-M-653 (1992)) and epoxides (U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,595, issued toNoishiki et al., (1989). Other liking groups include the urethanelinkage between amino groups and activated PEG. See, Veronese, et al.,Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol., 11: 141-152 (1985).

In another exemplary embodiment in which a reactive PEG derivative isutilized, the invention provides a method for extending theblood-circulation half-life of a selected peptide, in essence targetingthe peptide to the blood pool, by conjugating the peptide to a syntheticor natural polymer of a size sufficient to retard the filtration of theprotein by the glomerulus (e.g., albumin). This embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in Scheme 3 in which erytliropoietin (EPO) isconjugated to albumin via a PEG linker using a combination of chemicaland enzymatic modification.

Thus, as shown in Scheme 3, an amino acid residue of albumin is modifiedwith a reactive PEG derivative, such as X-PEG-(CMP-sialic acid), inwhich X is an activating group (e.g., active ester, isothiocyanate,etc). The PEG derivative and EPO are combined and contacted with atransferase for which CMP-sialic acid is a substrate. In a furtherillustrative embodiment, an F-amine of lysine is reacted with theN-hydroxysuccinimide ester of the PEG-linker to form the albuminconjugate. The CMP-sialic acid of the linker is enzymatically conjugatedto an appropriate residue on EPO, e.g., Gal, thereby forming theconjugate. Those of skill will appreciate that the above-describedmethod is not limited to the reaction partners set forth. Moreover, themethod can be practiced to form conjugates that include more than twoprotein moieties by, for example, utilizing a branched linker havingmore than two termini.

2. Modified Sugars

Modified glycosyl donor species (“modified sugars”) are preferablyselected from modified sugar nucleotides, activated modified sugars andmodified sugars that are simple saccharides that are neither nucleotidesnor activated. Any desired carbohydrate structure can be added to apeptide using the methods of the invention. Typically, the structurewill be a monosaccharide, but the present invention is not limited tothe use of modified monosaccharide sugars; oligosaccharides andpolysaccharides are useful as well.

The modifying group is attached to a sugar moiety by enzymatic means,chemical means or a combination thereof, thereby producing a modifiedsugar. The sugars are substituted at any position that allows for theattachment of the modifying moiety, yet which still allows the sugar tofunction as a substrate for the enzyme used to ligate the modified sugarto the peptide. In a preferred embodiment, when sialic acid is thesugar, the sialic acid is substituted with the modifying group at eitherthe 9-position on the pyruvyl side chain or at the 5-position on theamine moiety that is normally acetylated in sialic acid.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, a modified sugarnucleotide is utilized to add the modified sugar to the peptide.Exemplary sugar nucleotides that are used in the present invention intheir modified form include nucleotide mono-, di- or triphosphates oranalogs thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the modified sugarnucleotide is selected from a UDP-glycoside, CMP-glycoside, or aGDP-glycoside. Even more preferably, the modified sugar nucleotide isselected from an UDP-galactose, UDP-galactosamine, UDP-glucose,UDP-glucosamine, GDP-mannose, GDP-fucose, CMP-sialic acid, or CMP-NeuAc.N-acetylamine derivatives of the sugar nucleotides are also of use inthe method of the invention.

The invention also provides methods for synthesizing a modified peptideusing a modified sugar, e.g., modified-galactose, -fucose, and -sialicacid. When a modified sialic acid is used, either a sialyltransferase ora trans-sialidase (for α2,3-linked sialic acid only) can be used inthese methods.

In other embodiments, the modified sugar is an activated sugar.Activated modified sugars, which are useful in the present invention aretypically glycosides which have been synthetically altered to include anactivated leaving group. As used herein, the term “activated leavinggroup” refers to those moieties, which are easily displaced inenzyme-regulated nucleophilic substitution reactions. Many activatedsugars are known in the art. See, for example, Vocadlo et al., InCARBOHYDRATE CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY, Vol. 2, Ernst et al. Ed., Wiley-VCHVerlag: Weinheim, Germany, 2000; Kodama et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 34:6419 (1993); Lougheed, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274: 37717 (1999)).

Examples of activating groups (leaving groups) include fluoro, chloro,bromo, tosylate ester, mesylate ester, triflate ester and the like.Preferred activated leaving groups, for use in the present invention,are those that do not significantly sterically encumber the enzymatictransfer of the glycoside to the acceptor. Accordingly, preferredembodiments of activated glycoside derivatives include glycosylfluorides and glycosyl mesylates, with glycosyl fluorides beingparticularly preferred. Among the glycosyl fluorides, α-galactosylfluoride, α-mannosyl fluoride, α-glucosyl fluoride, α-facosyl fluoride,α-xylosyl fluoride, α-sialyl fluoride, α-N-acetylglucosaminyl fluoride,α-N-acetylgalactosaminyl fluoride, β-galactosyl fluoride, β-mannosylfluoride, β-glucosyl fluoride, β-fucosyl fluoride, β-xylosyl fluoride,β-sialyl fluoride, β-N-acetylglucosaminyl fluoride andβ-N-acetylgalactosaminyl fluoride are most preferred.

By way of illustration, glycosyl fluorides can be prepared from the freesugar by first acetylating the sugar and then treating it withHF/pyridine. This generates the thermodynamically most stable anomer ofthe protected (acetylated) glycosyl fluoride (i.e., the α-glycosylfluoride). If the less stable anomer (i.e., the β-glycosyl fluoride) isdesired, it can be prepared by converting the peracetylated sugar withHBr/HOAc or with HCl to generate the anomeric bromide or chloride. Thisintermediate is reacted with a fluoride salt such as silver fluoride togenerate the glycosyl fluoride. Acetylated glycosyl fluorides may bedeprotected by reaction with mild (catalytic) base in methanol (e.g.NaOMe/MeOH). In addition, many glycosyl fluorides are commerciallyavailable.

Other activated glycosyl derivatives can be prepared using conventionalmethods known to those of skill in the art. For example, glycosylmesylates can be prepared by treatment of the fully benzylatedhemiacetal form of the sugar with mesyl chloride, followed by catalytichydrogenation to remove the benzyl groups.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the modified sugar is anoligosaccharide having an antennary structure. In a preferredembodiment, one or more of the termini of the antennae bear themodifying moiety. When more than one modifying moiety is attached to anoligosaccharide having an antennary structure, the oligosaccharide isuseful to “amplify” the modifying moiety; each oligosaccharide unitconjugated to the peptide attaches multiple copies of the modifyinggroup to the peptide. The general structure of a typical chelate of theinvention as set forth in the drawing above, encompasses multivalentspecies resulting from preparing a conjugate of the invention utilizingan antennary structure. Many antennary saccharide structures are knownin the art, and the present method can be practiced with them withoutlimitation.

Exemplary modifying groups are discussed below. The modifying groups canbe selected for one or more desirable property. Exemplary propertiesinclude, but are not limited to, enhanced pharmacokinetics, enhancedpharmacodynamics, improved biodistribution, providing a polyvalentspecies, improved water solubility, enhanced or diminishedlipophilicity, and tissue targeting.

D. Peptide Conjugates

a) Water-Soluble Polymers

The hydrophilicity of a selected peptide is enhanced by conjugation withpolar molecules such as amine-, ester-, hydroxyl- andpolyhydroxyl-containing molecules. Representative examples include, butare not limited to, polylysine, polyethyleneimine, poly(ethylene glycol)and poly(propyleneglycol). Preferred water-soluble polymers areessentially non-fluorescent, or emit such a minimal amount offluorescence that they are inappropriate for use as a fluorescent markerin an assay. Polymers that are not naturally occurring sugars may beused. In addition, the use of an otherwise naturally occurring sugarthat is modified by covalent attachment of another entity (e.g.,poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), poly(aspartate),biomolecule, therapeutic moiety, diagnostic moiety, etc.) is alsocontemplated. In another exemplary embodiment, a therapeutic sugarmoiety is conjugated to a linker arm and the sugar-linker arm issubsequently conjugated to a peptide via a method of the invention.

Methods and chemistry for activation of water-soluble polymers andsaccharides as well as methods for conjugating saccharides and polymersto various species are described in the literature. Commonly usedmethods for activation of polymers include activation of functionalgroups with cyanogen bromide, periodate, glutaraldehyde, biepoxides,epichlorohydrin, divinylsulfone, carbodiimide, sulfonyl halides,trichlorotriazine, etc. (see, R. F. Taylor, (1991), PROTEINIMMOBILISATION, FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS, Marcel Dekker, N.Y.; S.S. Wong, (1992), CHEMISTRY OF PROTEIN CONJUGATION AND CROSSLINKING, CRCPress, Boca Raton; G. T. Hermanson et al., (1993), IMMOBILIZED AFFINITYLIGAND TECHNIQUES, Academic Press, N.Y.; Dunn, R. L., et al., Eds.POLYMERIC DRUGS AND DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS, ACS Symposium Series Vol.469, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C. 1991).

Routes for preparing reactive PEG molecules and forming conjugates usingthe reactive molecules are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,672,662 discloses a water soluble and isolatable conjugate of anactive ester of a polymer acid selected from linear or branchedpoly(alkylene oxides), poly(oxyethylated polyols), poly(olefinicalcohols), and poly(acrylomorpholine), wherein the polymer has about 44or more recurring units.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,604 sets forth a method for preparing awater-soluble 1-benzotriazolylcarbonate ester of a water-soluble andnon-peptidic polymer by reacting a terminal hydroxyl of the polymer withdi(1-benzotriazoyl)carbonate in an organic solvent. The active ester isused to form conjugates with a biologically active agent such as aprotein or peptide.

WO 99/45964 describes a conjugate comprising a biologically active agentand an activated water soluble polymer comprising a polymer backbonehaving at least one terminus linked to the polymer backbone through astable linkage, wherein at least one terminus comprises a branchingmoiety having proximal reactive groups linked to the branching moiety,in which the biologically active agent is linked to at least one of theproximal reactive groups. Other branched poly(ethylene glycols) aredescribed in WO 96/21469, U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,462 describes a conjugateformed with a branched PEG molecule that includes a branched terminusthat includes reactive functional groups. The free reactive groups areavailable to react with a biologically active species, such as a proteinor peptide, forming conjugates between the poly(ethylene glycol) and thebiologically active species. U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,090 describes abifunctional PEG linker and its use in forming conjugates having apeptide at each of the PEG linker termini.

Conjugates that include degradable PEG linkages are described in WO99/34833; and WO 99/14259, as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,348,558. Suchdegradable linkages are applicable in the present invention.

Although both reactive PEG derivatives and conjugates formed using thederivatives are known in the art, until the present invention, it wasnot recognized that a conjugate could be formed between PEG (or otherpolymer) and another species, such as a peptide or glycopeptide, throughan intact glycosyl linking group.

Many water-soluble polymers are known to those of skill in the art andare useful in practicing the present invention. The term water-solublepolymer encompasses species such as saccharides (e.g., dextran, amylose,hyalouronic acid, poly(sialic acid), heparans, heparins, etc.); poly(amino acids); nucleic acids; synthetic polymers (e.g., poly(acrylicacid), poly(ethers), e.g., poly(ethylene glycol); peptides, proteins,and the like. The present invention may be practiced with anywater-soluble polymer with the sole limitation that the polymer mustinclude a point at which the remainder of the conjugate can be attached.

Methods for activation of polymers can also be found in WO 94/17039,U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,844, WO 94/18247, WO 94/04193, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,219,564, 5,122,614, WO 90/13540, U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,698, and more WO93/15189, and for conjugation between activated polymers and peptides,e.g. Coagulation Factor VIII (WO 94/15625), hemoglobin (WO 94/09027),oxygen carrying molecule (U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,989), ribonuclease andsuperoxide dismutase (Veronese at al., App. Biochem. Biotech. 11: 141-45(1985)).

Preferred water-soluble polymers are those in which a substantialproportion of the polymer molecules in a sample of the polymer are ofapproximately the same molecular weight; such polymers are“homodisperse.”

The present invention is further illustrated by reference to apoly(ethylene glycol) conjugate. Several reviews and monographs on thefunctionalization and conjugation of PEG are available. See, forexample, Harris, Macronol. Chem. Phys. C25: 325-373 (1985); Scouten,Methods in Enzymology 135: 30-65 (1987); Wong et al., Enzyme Microb.Technol. 14: 866-874 (1992); Delgado et al., Critical Reviews inTherapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 9: 249-304 (1992); Zalipsky,Bioconjugate Chem. 6: 150-165 (1995); and Bhadra, et al., Pharmazie,57:5-29 (2002).

Poly(ethylene glycol) molecules suitable for use in the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, those described by the followingFormula 3:

-   R=H, alkyl, benzyl, aryl, acetal, OHC—, H₂N—CH₂CH₂—, HS—CH₂CH₂—,

-sugar-nucleotide, protein, methyl, ethyl;

-   X, Y, W, U (independently selected)=O, S, NH, N—R′;-   R′, R′″ (independently selected)=alkyl, benzyl, aryl, alkyl aryl,    pyridyl, substituted aryl, arylalkyl, acylaryl;-   n=1 to 2000;-   m, q, p (independently selected)=0 to 20-   o=0 to 20;-   Z=HO, NH₂, halogen, S—R′″, activated esters,

-sugar-nucleotide, protein, imidazole, HOBT, tetrazole, halide; and

-   V=HO, NH₂, halogen, S—R′″, activated esters, activated amides,    -sugar-nucleotide, protein.

In preferred embodiments, the poly(ethylene glycol) molecule is selectedfrom the following:

The poly(ethylene glycol) useful in forming the conjugate of theinvention is either linear or branched. Branched poly(ethylene glycol)molecules suitable for use in the invention include, but are not limitedto, those described by the following Formula:

-   R′, R″, R′″ (independently selected)=H, alkyl, benzyl, aryl, acetal,    OHC—, H₂N—CH₂CH₂—, HS—CH²CH₂—, —(CH₂)_(q)CY-Z, -sugar-nucleotide,    protein, methyl, ethyl, heteroaryl, acylalkyl, acylaryl,    acylalkylaryl;-   X,Y, W, A, B (independently selected)=O, S, NH, N—R′, (CH₂)₁;-   n, p (independently selected)=1 to 2000;-   m, q, o (independently selected)=0 to 20;-   Z=HO, NH₂, halogen, S—R′″, activated esters,

-sugar-nucleotide, protein;

-   V=HO, NH₂, halogen, S—R′″, activated esters, activated amides,

-sugar-nucleotide, protein.

The in vivo half-life, area under the curve, and/or residence time oftherapeutic peptides can also be enhanced with water-soluble polymerssuch as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG). Forexample, chemical modification of proteins with PEG (PEGylation)increases their molecular size and decreases their surface- andfunctional group-accessibility, each of which are dependent on the sizeof the PEG attached to the protein. This results in an improvement ofplasma half-lives and in proteolytic-stability, and a decrease inimmunogenicity and hepatic uptake (Chaffee et al. J. Clin. Invest. 89:1643-1651 (1992); Pyatak et al. Res. Commun. Chent. Pathol Pharmacol.29: 113-127 (1980)). PEGylation of interleukin-2 has been reported toincrease its antitumor potency in vivo (Katre et al. Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA. 84: 1487-1491 (1987)) and PEGylation of a F(ab′)2 derived fromthe monoclonal antibody A7 has improved its tumor localization (Kitamuraet al. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 28:1387-1394 (1990)).

In one preferred embodiment, the in vivo half-life of a peptidederivatized with a water-soluble polymer by a method of the invention isincreased relevant to the in vivo half-life of the non-derivatizedpeptide. In another preferred embodiment, the area under the curve of apeptide derivatized with a water-soluble polymer using a method of theinvention is increased relevant to the area under the curve of thenon-derivatized peptide. In another preferred embodiment, the residencetime of a peptide derivatized with a water-soluble polymer using amethod of the invention is increased relevant to the residence time ofthe non-derivatized peptide. Techniques to determine the in vivohalf-life, the area under the curve and the residence time are wellknown in the art. Descriptions of such techniques can be found in J. G.Wagner, 1993, Pharmacokinetics for the Pharmaceutical Scientist,Technomic Publishing Company, Inc. Lancaster Pa.

The increase in peptide in vivo half-life is best expressed as a rangeof percent increase in this quantity. The lower end of the range ofpercent increase is about 40%, about 60%, about 80%, about 100%, about150% or about 200%. The upper end of the range is about 60%, about 80%,about 100%, about 150%, or more than about 250%.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a PEGylatedfollicle stimulating hormone (Examples 9 and 10). In a further exemplaryembodiment, the invention provides a PEGylated transferrin (Example 13).

Other exemplary water-soluble polymers of use in the invention include,but are not limited to linear or branched poly(alkylene oxides),poly(oxyethylated polyols), poly(olefinic alcohols), andpoly(acrylomorpholine), dextran, starch, poly(amino acids), etc.

b) Water-insoluble Polymers

The conjugates of the invention may also include one or morewater-insoluble polymers. This embodiment of the invention isillustrated by the use of the conjugate as a vehicle with which todeliver a therapeutic peptide in a controlled manner. Polymeric drugdelivery systems are known in the art. See, for example, Dunn et al.,Eds. POLYMERIC DRUGS AND DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS, ACS Symposium SeriesVol. 469, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C. 1991. Those ofskill in the art will appreciate that substantially any known drugdelivery system is applicable to the conjugates of the presentinvention.

Representative water-insoluble polymers include, but are not limited to,polyphosphazines, poly(vinyl alcohols), polyamides, polycarbonates,polyalkylenes, polyacrylamides, polyalkylene glycols, polyalkyleneoxides, polyalkylene terephthalates, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters,polyvinyl halides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyglycolides, polysiloxanes,polyurethanes, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate),poly(butyl methacrylate), poly(isobutyl methacrylate), poly(hexylmethacrylate), poly(isodecyl methacrylate), poly(lauryl methacrylate),poly(phenyl methacrylate), poly(methyl acrylate), poly(isopropylacrylate), poly(isobutyl acrylate), poly(octadecyl acrylate)polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethyleneoxide), poly (ethylene terephthalate), poly(vinyl acetate), polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, pluronics andpolyvinylphenol and copolymers thereof.

Synthetically modified natural polymers of use in conjugates of theinvention include, but are not limited to, alkyl celluloses,hydroxyalkyl celluloses, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, andnitrocelluloses. Particularly preferred members of the broad classes ofsynthetically modified natural polymers include, but are not limited to,methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose,hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose, celluloseacetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, celluloseacetate phthalate, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose triacetate,cellulose sulfate sodium salt, and polymers of acrylic and methacrylicesters and alginic acid.

These and the other polymers discussed herein can be readily obtainedfrom commercial sources such as Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, Mo.),Polysciences (Warrenton, Pa.), Aldrich (Milwaukee, Wis.), Fluka(Ronkonkoma, N.Y.), and BioRad (Richmond, Calif.), or else synthesizedfrom monomers obtained from these suppliers using standard techniques.Representative biodegradable polymers of use in the conjugates of theinvention include, but are not limited to, polylactides, polyglycolidesand copolymers thereof poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butyric acid),poly(valeric acid), poly(lactide-co-caprolactone),poly(lactide-co-glycolide), polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, blends andcopolymers thereof. Of particular use are compositions that form gels,such as those including collagen, pluronics and the like.

The polymers of use in the invention include “hybrid” polymers thatinclude water-insoluble materials having within at least a portion oftheir structure, a bioresorbable molecule. An example of such a polymeris one that includes a water-insoluble copolymer, which has abioresorbable region, a hydrophilic region and a plurality ofcrosslinkable functional groups per polymer chain.

For purposes of the present invention, “water-insoluble materials”includes materials that are substantially insoluble in water orwater-containing environments. Thus, although certain regions orsegments of the copolymer may be hydrophilic or even water-soluble, thepolymer molecule, as a whole, does not to any substantial measuredissolve in water. For purposes of the present invention, the term“bioresorbable molecule” includes a region that is capable of beingmetabolized or broken down and resorbed and/or eliminated through normalexcretory routes by the body. Such metabolites or break down productsare preferably substantially non-toxic to the body.

The bioresorbable region may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic, solong as the copolymer composition as a whole is not renderedwater-soluble. Thus, the bioresorbable region is selected based on thepreference that the polymer, as a whole, remains water-insoluble.Accordingly, the relative properties, i.e., the kinds of functionalgroups contained by, and the relative proportions of the bioresorbableregion, and the hydrophilic region are selected to ensure that usefulbioresorbable compositions remain water-insoluble.

Exemplary resorbable polymers include, for example, syntheticallyproduced resorbable block copolymers of poly(α-hydroxy-carboxylicacid)/poly(oxyalkylene, (see, Cohn et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,945).These copolymers are not crosslinked and are water-soluble so that thebody can excrete the degraded block copolymer compositions. See, Youneset al., J Biomed. Mater. Res. 21: 1301-1316 (1987); and Cohn et al., JBiomed. Mater. Res. 22: 993-1009 (1988).

Presently preferred bioresorbable polymers include one or morecomponents selected from poly(esters), poly(hydroxy acids),poly(lactones), poly(amides), poly(ester-amides), poly (amino acids),poly(anhydrides), poly(orthoesters), poly(carbonates),poly(phosphazines), poly(phosphoesters), poly(thioesters),polysaccharides and mixtures thereof. More preferably still, thebiosresorbable polymer includes a poly(hydroxy) acid component. Of thepoly(hydroxy) acids, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polycaproicacid, polybutyric acid, polyvaleric acid and copolymers and mixturesthereof are preferred.

In addition to forming fragments that are absorbed in vivo(“bioresorbed”), preferred polymeric coatings for use in the methods ofthe invention can also form an excretable and/or metabolizable fragment.

Higher order copolymers can also be used in the present invention. Forexample, Casey et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,253, which issued on Mar. 20,1984, discloses tri-block copolymers produced from thetransesterification of poly(glycolic acid) and an hydroxyl-endedpoly(alkylene glycol). Such compositions are disclosed for use asresorbable monofilament sutures. The flexibility of such compositions iscontrolled by the incorporation of an aromatic orthocarbonate, such astetra-p-tolyl orthocarbonate into the copolymer structure.

Other coatings based on lactic and/or glycolic acids can also beutilized. For example, Spinu, U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,413, which issued onApr. 13, 1993, discloses biodegradable multi-block copolymers havingsequentially ordered blocks of polylactide and/or polyglycolide producedby ring-opening polymerization of lactide and/or glycolide onto eitheran oligomeric diol or a diamine residue followed by chain extension witha di-functional compound, such as, a diisocyanate, diacylchloride ordichlorosilane.

Bioresorbable regions of coatings useful in the present invention can bedesigned to be hydrolytically and/or enzymatically cleavable. Forpurposes of the present invention, “hydrolytically cleavable” refers tothe susceptibility of the copolymer, especially the bioresorbableregion, to hydrolysis in water or a water-containing environment.Similarly, “enzymatically cleavable” as used herein refers to thesusceptibility of the copolymer, especially the bioresorbable region, tocleavage by endogenous or exogenous enzymes.

When placed within the body, the hydrophilic region can be processedinto excretable and/or metabolizable fragments. Thus, the hydrophilicregion can include, for example, polyethers, polyalkylene oxides,polyols, poly(vinyl pyrrolidine), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(alkyloxazolines), polysaccharides, carbohydrates, peptides, proteins andcopolymers and mixtures thereof. Furthermore, the hydrophilic region canalso be, for example, a poly(alkylene) oxide. Such poly(alkylene) oxidescan include, for example, poly(ethylene) oxide, poly(propylene) oxideand mixtures and copolymers thereof.

Polymers that are components of hydrogels are also useful in the presentinvention. Hydrogels are polymeric materials that are capable ofabsorbing relatively large quantities of water. Examples of hydrogelforming compounds include, but are not limited to, polyacrylic acids,sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidine,gelatin, carrageenan and other polysaccharides,hydroxyethylenemethacrylic acid (HEMA), as well as derivatives thereof,and the like. Hydrogels can be produced that are stable, biodegradableand bioresorbable. Moreover, hydrogel compositions can include subunitsthat exhibit one or more of these properties.

Bio-compatible hydrogel compositions whose integrity can be controlledthrough crosslinking are known and are presently preferred for use inthe methods of the invention. For example, Hubbell et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,410,016, which issued on Apr. 25, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,914,which issued on Jun. 25, 1996, disclose water-soluble systems, which arecrosslinked block copolymers having a water-soluble central blocksegment sandwiched between two hydrolytically labile extensions. Suchcopolymers are further end-capped with photopolymerizable acrylatefunctionalities. When crosslinked, these systems become hydrogels. Thewater soluble central block of such copolymers can include poly(ethyleneglycol); whereas, the hydrolytically labile extensions can be apoly(α-hydroxy acid), such as polyglycolic acid or polylactic acid. See,Sawhney et al., Macromolecules 26: 581-587 (1993).

In another preferred embodiment, the gel is a thermoreversible gel.Thermoreversible gels including components, such as pluronics, collagen,gelatin, hyalouronic acid, polysaccharides, polyurethane hydrogel,polyurethane-urea hydrogel and combinations thereof are presentlypreferred.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the conjugate of the inventionincludes a component of a liposome. Liposomes can be prepared accordingto methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, as describedin Eppstein et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,811, which issued on Jun. 11,1985. For example, liposome formulations may be prepared by dissolvingappropriate lipid(s) (such as stearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine,stearoyl phosphatidyl choline, arachadoyl phosphatidyl choline, andcholesterol) in an inorganic solvent that is then evaporated, leavingbehind a thin film of dried lipid on the surface of the container. Anaqueous solution of the active compound or its pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt is then introduced into the container. The container isthen swirled by hand to free lipid material from the sides of thecontainer and to disperse lipid aggregates, thereby forming theliposomal suspension.

The above-recited microparticles and methods of preparing themicroparticles are offered by way of example and they are not intendedto define the scope of microparticles of use in the present invention.It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that an array ofmicroparticles, fabricated by different methods, are of use in thepresent invention.

c) Biomolecules

In another preferred embodiment, the modified sugar bears a biomolecule.In still further preferred embodiments, the biomolecule is a functionalprotein, enzyme, antigen, antibody, peptide, nucleic acid (e.g., singlenucleotides or nucleosides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides andsingle- and higher-stranded nucleic acids), lectin, receptor or acombination thereof.

Some preferred biomolecules are essentially non-fluorescent, or emitsuch a minimal amount of fluorescence that they are inappropriate foruse as a fluorescent marker in an assay. Other biomolecules may befluorescent. The use of an otherwise naturally occurring sugar that ismodified by covalent attachment of another entity (e.g., PEG,biomolecule, therapeutic moiety, diagnostic moiety, etc.) isappropriate. In an exemplary embodiment, a sugar moiety, which is abiomolecule, is conjugated to a linker arm and the sugar-linker armcassette is subsequently conjugated to a peptide via a method of theinvention.

Biomolecules useful in practicing the present invention can be derivedfrom any source. The biomolecules can be isolated from natural sourcesor they can be produced by synthetic methods. Peptides can be naturalpeptides or mutated peptides. Mutations can be effected by chemicalmutagenesis, site-directed mutagenesis or other means of inducingmutations known to those of skill in the art. Peptides useful inpracticing the instant invention include, for example, enzymes,antigens, antibodies and receptors. Antibodies can be either polyclonalor monoclonal; either intact or fragments. The peptides are optionallythe products of a program of directed evolution.

Both naturally derived and synthetic peptides and nucleic acids are ofuse in conjunction with the present invention; these molecules can beattached to a sugar residue component or a crosslinking agent by anyavailable reactive group. For example, peptides can be attached througha reactive amine, carboxyl, sulfhydryl, or hydroxyl group. The reactivegroup can reside at a peptide terminus or at a site internal to thepeptide chain. Nucleic acids can be attached through a reactive group ona base (e.g. exocyclic amine) or an available hydroxyl group on a sugarmoiety (e.g., 3′- or 5′-hydroxyl). The peptide and nucleic acid chainscan be further derivatized at one or more sites to allow for theattachment of appropriate reactive groups onto the chain. See, Chriseyet al. Nucleic Acids Res. 24: 3031-3039 (1996).

In a further preferred embodiment, the biomolecule is selected to directthe peptide modified by the methods of the invention to a specifictissue, thereby enhancing the delivery of the peptide to that tissuerelative to the amount of underivatized peptide that is delivered to thetissue. In a still further preferred embodiment, the amount ofderivatized peptide delivered to a specific tissue within a selectedtime period is enhanced by derivatization by at least about 20%, morepreferably, at least about 40%, and more preferably still, at leastabout 100%. Presently, preferred biomolecules for targeting applicationsinclude antibodies, hormones and ligands for cell-surface receptors.

In a presently preferred embodiment, the modifying group is a protein.In an exemplary embodiment, the protein is an interferon. Theinterferons are antiviral glycoproteins that, in humans, are secreted byhuman primary fibroblasts after induction with virus or double-strandedRNA. Interferons are of interest as therapeutics, e.g., antivirals andtreatment of multiple sclerosis. For references discussing interferon-β,see, e.g., Yu, et al., J. Neuroimmunol., 64(1):91-100 (1996); Schmidt,J., J. Neurosci. Res., 65(1):59-67 (2001); Wender, et al., FoliaNeuropathol., 39(2):91-93 (2001); Martin, et al., Springer Semin.Immunopathol., 18(1):1-24 (1996); Takane, et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp.Ther., 294(2):746-752 (2000); Sburlati, et al., Biotechnol. Prog.,14:189-192 (1998); Dodd, et al., Biochimica et Biophysica Acta,787:183-187 (1984); Edelbaum, et al., J. Interferon Res., 12:449-453(1992); Conradt, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 262(30):14600-14605 (1987);Civas, et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 173:311-316 (1988); Demolder, et al.,J. Biotechnol., 32:179-189 (1994); Sedmak, et al., J. Interferon Res.,9(Suppl 1):S61-S65 (1989); Kagawa, et al., J. Biol. Chem.,263(33):17508-17515 (1988); Hershenson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,330;Jayaram, et al., J. Interferon Res., 3(2):177-180 (1983); Menge, et al.,Develop. Biol. Standard., 66:391-401 (1987); Vonk, et al., J. InterferonRes., 3(2):169-175 (1983); and Adolf, et al., J. Interferon Res.,10:255-267 (1990). For references relevant to interferon-α, see, Asano,et al., Eur. J. Cancer, 27(Suppl 4):S21-S25 (1991); Nagy, et al.,Anticancer Research, 8(3):467-470 (1988); Dron, et al., J. Biol. Regul.Homeost. Agents, 3(1):13-19 (1989); Habib, et al., Am. Surg.,67(3):257-260 (March 2001); and Sugyiama, et al., Eur. J. Biochem.,217:921-927 (1993).

In an exemplary interferon conjugate, interferon P is conjugated to asecond peptide via a linker arm. The linker arm includes an intactglycosyl linking group through which it is attached to the secondpeptide via a method of the invention. The linker arm also optionallyincludes a second intact glycosyl linking group, through which it isattached to the interferon.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a conjugate offollicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH is a glycoprotein hormone. See,for example, Saneyoshi, et al., Biol. Reprod., 65:1686-1690 (2001);Hakola, et al., J. Endocrinol., 158:441-448 (1998); Stanton, et al.,Mol. Cell. Endocrinol., 125:133-141 (1996); Walton, et al., J. Clin.Endocrinol. Metab., 86(8):3675-3685 (August 2001); Ulloa-Aguirre, etal., Endocrine, 11(3):205-215 (December 1999); Castro-Fernández, et al.,J. Clin. Endocrinol. Matab., 85(12):4603-4610 (2000); Prevost, RebeccaR., Pharmacotherapy, 18(5):1001-1010 (1998); Linskens, et al., The FASEBJournal, 13:639-645 (Apr. 1999); Butnev, et al., Biol. Reprod.,58:458-469 (1998); Muyan, et al., Mol. Endo., 12(5):766-772 (1998); Mi,et al., Endo. J., 43(5):585-593 (1996); Boime, et al., Recent Progressin Hormone Research, 34:271-289 (1999); and Rafferty, et al., J. Endo.,145:527-533 (1995). The FSH conjugate can be formed in a manner similarto that described for interferon.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the conjugate includeserythropoietin (EPO). EPO is known to mediate response to hypoxia and tostimulate the production of red blood cells. For pertinent references,see, Cerami, et al., Seminars in Oncology, 28(2)(Suppl 8):66-70(04/2001). An exemplary EPO conjugate is formed analogously to theconjugate of interferon.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a conjugate ofhuman granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). G-CSF is aglycoprotein that stimulates proliferation, differentiation andactivation of neutropoietic progenitor cells into functionally matureneutrophils. Injected G-CSF is known to be rapidly cleared from thebody. See, for example, Nohynek, et al., Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol.,39:259-266 (1997); Lord, et al., Clinical Cancer Research,7(7):2085-2090 (07/2001); Rotondaro, et al., Molecular Biotechnology,11(2):117-128 (1999); and Bbnig, et al., Bone Marrow Transplantation,28:259-264 (2001). An exemplary conjugate of G-CSF is prepared asdiscussed above for the conjugate of the interferons. One of skill inthe art will appreciate that many other proteins may be conjugated tointerferon using the methods and compositions of the invention,including but not limited to, the peptides listed in Table 6 (presentedelsewhere herein) and FIG. 1, and in FIGS. 27-51, where individualmodification schemes are presented.

In still a further exemplary embodiment, there is provided a conjugatewith biotin. Thus, for example, a selectively biotinylated peptide iselaborated by the attachment of an avidin or streptavidin moiety bearingone or more modifying groups.

In a further preferred embodiment, the biomolecule is selected to directthe peptide modified by the methods of the invention to a specificintracellular compartment, thereby enhancing the delivery of the peptideto that intracellular compartment relative to the amount ofunderivatized peptide that is delivered to the tissue. In a stillfuither preferred embodiment, the amount of derivatized peptidedelivered to a specific intracellular compartment within a selected timeperiod is enhanced by derivatization by at least about 20%, morepreferably, at least about 40%, and more preferably still, at leastabout 100%. In another particularly preferred embodiment, thebiomolecule is linked to the peptide by a cleavable linker that canhydrolyze once internalized. Presently, preferred biomolecules forintracellular targeting applications include transferrin,lactotransferrin (lactoferrin), melanotransferrin (p97), ceniloplasmin,and divalent cation transporter. Contemplated linkages include, but arenot limited to, protein-sugar-linker-sugar-protein,protein-sugar-linker-protein and multivalent forms thereof, andprotein-sugar-linker-drug where the drug includes small molecules,peptides, lipids, among others.

Site-specific and target-oriented delivery of therapeutic agents isdesirable for the purpose of treating a wide variety of human diseases,such as different types of malignancies and certain neurologicaldisorders. Such procedures are accompanied by fewer side effects and ahigher efficiacy of drug. Various principles have been relied on indesigning these delivery systems. For a review, see Garnett, AdvancedDrug Delivery Reviews 53:171-216 (2001).

One important consideration in designing a drug delivery system totarget tissues specifically. The discovery of tumor surface antigens hasmade it possible to develop therapeutic approaches where tumor cellsdisplaying definable surface antigens are specifically targeted andkilled. There are three main classes of therapeutic monoclonalantibodies CMAb) that have demonstrated effectiveness in human clinicaltrials in treating malignancies: (1) unconjugated MAb, which eitherdirectly induces growth inhibition and/or apoptosis, or indirectlyactivates host defense mechanisms to mediate antitumor cytotoxicity; (2)drug-conjugated MAb, which preferentially delivers a potent cytotoxictoxin to the tumor cells and therefore minimizes the systemiccytotoxicity commonly associated with conventional chemotherapy; and (3)radioisotope-conjugated MAb, which delivers a sterilizing dose ofradiation to the tumor. See review by Reffet al., Cancer Control9:152-166 (2002).

In order to arm MAbs with the power to kill malignant cells, the MAbscan be connected to a toxin, which may be obtained from a plant,bacterial, or fungal source, to form chimeric proteins calledimmunotoxins. Frequently used plant toxins are divided into two classes:(1) holotoxins (or class II ribosome inactivating proteins), such asricin, abrin, mistletoe lectin, and modeccin, and (2) hemitoxins (classI ribosome inactivating proteins), such as pokeweed antiviral protein(PAP), saporin, Bryodin 1, bouganin, and gelonin. Commonly usedbacterial toxins include diphtheria toxin (DT) and Pseudomonas exotoxin(PE). Kreitman, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2:313-325 (2001).Conventional immunotoxins contain an MAb chemically conjugated to atoxin that is mutated or chemically modified to minimized binding tonormal cells. Examples include anti-B4-blocked ricin, targeting CD5; andRFB4-deglycosylated ricin A chain, targeting CD22. Recombinantimmunotoxins developed more recently are chimeric proteins consisting ofthe variable region of an antibody directed against a tumor antigenfused to, a protein toxin using recombinant DNA technology. The toxin isalso frequently genetically modified to remove normal tissue bindingsites but retain its cytotoxicity. A large number of differentiationantigens, overexpressed receptors, or cancer-specific antigens have beenidentified as targets for immunotoxins, e.g., CD19, CD22, CD20, IL-2receptor (CD25), CD33, IL-4 receptor, EGF receptor and its mutants,ErB2, Lewis carbohydrate, mesothelin, transferrin receptor, GM-CSFreceptor, Ras, Bcr-Abl, and c-Kit, for the treatment of a variety ofmalignancies including hematopoietic cancers, glioma, and breast, colon,ovarian, bladder, and gastrointestinal cancers. See e.g., Brinkmann etal., Expert Opin. Biol. Ther. 1:693-702 (2001); Perentesis and Sievers,Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America 15:677-701 (2001).

MAbs conjugated with radioisotope are used as another means of treatinghuman malignancies, particularly hematopoietic malignancies, with a highlevel of specificity and effectiveness. The most commonly used isotopesfor therapy are the high-energy -emitters, such as ¹³¹I and ⁹⁰Y.Recently, ²¹³Bi-labeled anti-CD33 humanized MAb has also been tested inphase I human clinical trials. Reff et al., supra.

A number of MAbs have been used for therapeutic purposes. For example,the use of rituximab (Rituxan™), a recombinant chimeric anti-CD20 MAb,for treating certain hematopoietic malignancies was approved by the FDAin 1997. Other MAbs that have since been approved for therapeutic usesin treating human cancers include: alemtuzumab (Campath-1H™), ahumanized rat antibody against CD52; and gemtuzumab ozogamicin(Mylotarg™), a calicheamicin-conjugated humanized mouse antCD33 MAb. TheFDA is also currently examining the safety and efficacy of several otherMAbs for the purpose of site-specific delivery of cytotoxic agents orradiation, e.g., radiolabeled Zevalin™ and Bexxar™. Reffet al., supra.

A second important consideration in designing a drug delivery system isthe accessibility of a target tissue to a therapeutic agent. This is anissue of particular concern in the case of treating a disease of thecentral nervous system (CNS), where the blood-brain barrier prevents thediffusion of macromolecules. Several approaches have been developed tobypass the blood-brain barrier for effective delivery of therapeuticagents to the CNS.

The understanding of iron transport mechanism from plasma to brainprovides a useful tool in bypassing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Iron,transported in plasma by transferrin, is an essential component ofvirtually all types of cells. The brain needs iron for metabolicprocesses and receives iron through transferrin receptors located onbrain capillary endothelial cells via receptor-mediated transcytosis andendocytosis. Moos and Morgan, Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology20:77-95 (2000). Delivery systems based on transferrin-transferrinreceptor interaction have been established for the efficient delivery ofpeptides, proteins, and liposomes into the brain. For example, peptidescan be coupled with a Mab directed against the transferrin receptor toachieve greater uptake by the brain, Moos and Morgan, Supra. Similarly,when coupled with an MAb directed against the transferrin receptor, thetransportation of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) across theblood-brain barrier is enhanced. Song et al., The Journal ofPharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 301:605-610 (2002); Wu etal., Journal of Drug Targeting 10:239-245 (2002). In addition, aliposomal delivery system for effective transport of the chemotherapydrug, doxorubicin, into C6 glioma has been reported, where transferrinwas attached to the distal ends of liposomal PEG chains. Eavarone etal., J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 51:10-14 (2000). A number of U.S. patentsalso relate to delivery methods bypassing the blood-brain barrier basedon transferrin-transferrin receptor interaction. See e.g., U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,154,924; 5,182,107; 5,527,527; 5,833,988; 6,015,555.

There are other suitable conjugation partners for a pharmaceutical agentto bypass the blood-brain barrier. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,672,683, 5,977,307 and WO 95/02421 relate to a method of delivering aneuropharmaceutical agent across the blood-brain barrier, where theagent is administered in the form of a fusion protein with a ligand thatis reactive with a brain capillary endothelial cell receptor; WO99/00150 describes a drug delivery system in which the transportation ofa drug across the blood-brain barrier is facilitated by conjugation withan MAb directed against human insulin receptor, WO 89/10134 describes achimeric peptide, which includes a peptide capable of crossing the bloodbrain barrier at a relatively high rate and a hydrophilic neuropeptideincapable of transcytosis, as a means of introducing hydrophilicneuropeptides into the brain; WO 01/60411 A1 provides a pharmaceuticalcomposition that can easily transport a pharmaceutically activeingredient into the brain. The active ingredient is bound to ahibemation-specific protein that is used as a conjugate, andadministered with a thyroid hormone or a substance promoting thyroidhormone production. In addition, an alternative route of drug deliveryfor bypassing the blood-brain barrier has been explored. For instance,intranasal delivery of therapeutic agents without the need forconjugation has been shown to be a promising alternative delivery method(Frey, 2002, Drug Delivery Technology, 2(5):4649).

In addition to facilitating the transportation of drugs across theblood-brain barrier, transferrin-transferrin receptor interaction isalso useful for specific targeting of certain tumor cells, as many tumorcells overexpress transferrin receptor on their surface. This strategyhas been used for delivering bioactive macromolecules into K562 cellsvia a transferrin conjugate (Wellhoner et al., The Journal of BiologicalChemistry 266:4309-4314 (1991)), and for delivering insulin intoenterocyte-like Caco-2 cells via a transferrin conjugate (Shah and Shen,Journal of Phamaceutical Sciences 85:1306-1311 (1996)).

Furthermore, as more becomes known about the functions of various irontransport proteins, such as lactotransferrin receptor,melanotransferrin, ceruloplasmin, and Divalent Cation Transporter andtheir expression pattern, some of the proteins involved in irontransport mechanism (e.g., melanotransferrin), or their fragments, havebeen found to be similarly effective in assisting therapeutic agentstransport across the blood-brain barrier or targeting specific tissues(WO 02/13843 A2, WO 02/13873 A2). For a review on the use of transferrinand related proteins involved in iron uptake as conjugates in drugdelivery, see Li and Qian, Medical Research Reviews 22:225-250 (2002).

The concept of tissue-specific delivery of therapeutic agents goesbeyond the interaction between transferrin and transferrin receptor ortheir related proteins. For example, a bone-specific delivery system hasbeen described in which proteins are conjugated with a bone-seekingaminobisphosphate for improved delivery of proteins to mineralizedtissue. Uludag and Yang, Biotechnol. Prog. 18:604-611 (2002). For areview on this topic, see Vyas et al., Critical Reviews in TherapeuticDrug Carrier System 18:1-76 (2001).

A variety of linkers may be used in the process of generatingbioconjugates for the purpose of specific delivery of therapeuticagents,. Suitable linkers include homo- and heterobifunctionalcross-linking reagents, which may be cleavable by, e.g. acid-catalyzeddissociation, or non-cleavable (see, e.g., Srinivasachar and Neville,Biochemistry 28:2501-2509 (1989); Welihoner et al., The Journal ofBiological Chemistry 266:4309-4314 (1991)). Interaction between manyknown binding partners, such as biotin and avidin/streptavidin, can alsobe used as a means to join a therapeutic agent and a conjugate partnerthat ensures the specific and effective delivery of the therapeuticagent. Using the methods of the invention, proteins may be used todeliver molecules to intracellular compartments as conjugates. Proteins,peptides, hormones, cytokines, small molecules or the like that bind tospecific cell surface receptors that are internalized after ligandbinding may be used for intracellular targeting of conjugatedtherapeutic compounds. Typically, the receptor-ligand complex isinternalized into intracellular vesicles that are delivered to specificcell compartments, including, but not limited to, the nucleus,mitochondria, golgi, ER, lysosome, and endosome, depending on theintracellular location targeted by the receptor. By conjugating thereceptor ligand with the desired molecule, the drug will be carried withthe receptor-ligand complex and be delivered to the intracellularcompartments normally targeted by the receptor. The drug can thereforebe delivered to a specific intracellular location in the cell where itis needed to treat a disease.

Many proteins may be used to target therapeutic agents to specifictissues and organs. Targeting proteins include, but are not limited to,growth factors (EPO, HGH, EGF, nerve growth factor, FGF, among others),cytokines (GM-CSF, G-CSF, the interferon family, interleukins, amongothers), hormones (FSH, LH, the steroid families, estrogen,corticosteroids, insulin, among others), serum proteins (albumin,lipoproteins, fetoprotein, human serum proteins, antibodies andfragments of antibodies, among others), and vitamins (folate, vitamin C,vitamin A, among others). Targeting agents are available that arespecific for receptors on most cells types.

Contemplated linkage configurations include, but are not limited to,protein-sugar-linker-sugar-protein and multivalent forms thereof,protein-sugar-linker-protein and multivalent forms thereof,protein-sugar-linker-therapeutic agent, where the therapeutic agentincludes, but are not limited to, small molecules, peptides and lipids.In some embodiments, a hydrolysable linker is used that can behydrolyzed once internalized. An acid labile linker can be used toadvantage where the protein conjugate is internalized into the endosomesor lysosomes which have an acidic pH. Once internalized into theendosome or lysosome, the linker is hydrolyzed and the therapeutic agentis released from the targeting agent.

In an exemplary embodiment, transferrin is conjugated via a linker to anenzyme desired to be targeted to a cell that presents transferrinreceptors in a patient. The patient could, for example, require enzymereplacement therapy for that particular enzyme. In particularlypreferred embodiments, the enzyme is one that is lacking in a patientwith a lysosomal storage disease (see Table 4). Once in circulation, thetransferrin-enzyme conjugate binds to transferrin receptors and isinternalized in early endosomes (Xing et al., 1998, Biochem. J. 336:667;Li et al., 2002, Trends in Pharmcol. Sci. 23:206; Suhaila et al., 1998,J. Biol. Chem. 273:14355). Other contemplated targeting agents that arerelated to transferrin include, but are not limited to, lactotransferrin(lactoferrin), melanotransferrin (p97), ceruloplasmin, and divalentcation transporter.

In another exemplary embodiment, tranferrin-dystrophin conjugates wouldenter endosomes by the transferrin pathway. Once there, the dystrophinis released due to a hydrolysable linker which can then be taken to theintracellular compartment where it is required. This embodiment may beused to treat a patient with muscular dystrophy by supplementing agenetically defective dystrophin gene and/or protein with the functionaldystrophin peptide connected to the transferrin.

E. Therapeutic Moieties

In another preferred embodiment, the modified sugar includes atherapeutic moiety. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that thereis overlap between the category of therapeutic moieties andbiomolecules; many biomolecules have therapeutic properties orpotential.

The therapeutic moieties can be agents already accepted for clinical useor they can be drugs whose use is experimental, or whose activity ormechanism of action is under investigation. The therapeutic moieties canhave a proven action in a given disease state or can be onlyhypothesized to show desirable action in a given disease state. In apreferred embodiment, the therapeutic moieties are compounds, which arebeing screened for their ability to interact with a tissue of choice.Therapeutic moieties, which are useful in practicing the instantinvention include drugs from a broad range of drug classes having avariety of pharmacological activities. In some embodiments, it ispreferred to use therapeutic moieties that are not sugars. An exceptionto this preference is the use of a sugar that is modified by covalentattachment of another entity, such as a PEG, biomolecule, therapeuticmoiety, diagnostic moiety and the like. In another exemplary embodiment,a therapeutic sugar moiety is conjugated to a linker arm and thesugar-linker arm cassette is subsequently conjugated to a peptide via amethod of the invention.

Methods of conjugating therapeutic and diagnostic agents to variousother species are well known to those of skill in the art. See, forexample Hermanson, BIOCONJUGATE TECHNIQUES, Academic Press, San Diego,1996; and Dunn et al., Eds. POLYMERIC DRUGS AND DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS,ACS Symposium Series Vol. 469, American Chemical Society, Washington,D.C. 1991.

In an exemplary embodiment, the therapeutic moiety is attached to themodified sugar via a linkage that is cleaved under selected conditions.Exemplary conditions include, but are not limited to, a selected pH(e.g., stomach, intestine, endocytotic vacuole), the presence of anactive enzyme (e.g., esterase, protease, reductase, oxidase), light,heat and the like. Many cleavable groups are known in the art. See, forexample, Jung et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta, 761: 152-162 (1983); Joshiet al., J. Biol. Chem., 265: 14518-14525 (1990); Zarling et al., J.Immunol., 124: 913-920 (1980); Bouizar et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 155:141-147 (1986); Park et al., J. Biol. Chem., 261: 205-210 (1986);Browning et al., J. Immunol., 143: 1859-1867 (1989).

Classes of useful therapeutic moieties include, for example,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). The NSAIDS can, forexample, be selected from the following categories: (e.g., propionicacid derivatives, acetic acid derivatives, fenamic acid derivatives,biphenylcarboxylic acid derivatives and oxicams); steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs including hydrocortisone and the like;adjuvants; antihistaminic drugs (e.g., chlorpheniramine, triprolidine);antitussive drugs (e.g., dextromethorphan, codeine, caramiphen andcarbetapentane); antipruritic drugs (e.g. methdilazine andtrimeprazine); anticholinergic drugs (e.g., scopolantine, atropine,homatropine, levodopa); anti-emetic and antinauseant drugs (e.g.,cyclizine, meclizine, chlorpromazine, buclizine); anorexic drugs (e.g.,benzphetamine, phentermine, chlorphentermine, fenfluramine); centralstimulant drugs (e.g., amphetamine, methamphetamine, dextroamphetamineand methylphenidate); antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., propanolol,procainamide, disopyramide, quinidine, encainide); β-adrenergic blockerdrugs (e.g., metoprolol, acebutolol, betaxolol, labetalol and timolol);cardiotonic drugs (e.g., milrinone, amrinone and dobutamine);antihypertensive drugs (e.g., enalapril, clonidine, hydralazine,minoxidil, guanadrel, guanethidine); diuretic drugs (e.g., amiloride andhydrochlorothiazide); vasodilator drugs (e.g., diltiazem, amiodarone,isoxsuprine, nylidrin, tolazoline and verapamil); vasoconstrictor drugs(e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergotamine and methylsergide); antiulcer drugs(e.g., ranitidine and cimetidine); anesthetic drugs (e.g., lidocaine,bupivacaine, chloroprocaine, dibucaine); antidepressant drugs (e.g.,imipramine, desipramine, amitryptiline, nortryptiline); tranquilizer andsedative drugs (e.g., chlordiazepoxide, benacytyzine, benzquinamide,flurazepam, hydroxyzne, loxapine and promazine); antipsychotic drugs(e.g., chlorprothixene, fluphenazine, haloperidol, molindone,thioridazine and trifluoperazine); antimicrobial drugs (antibacterial,antifungal, antiprotozoal and antiviral drugs).

Classes of useful therapeutic moieties include adjuvants. The adjuvantscan, for example, be selected from keyhole lymphet hemocyaninconjugates, monophosphoryl lipid A, mycoplasma-derived lipopeptideMALP-2, cholera toxin B subunit, Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin,universal T helper epitope from tetanus toxoid, interleukin-12, CpGoligodeoxynucleotides, dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide,cyclodextrin, squalene, aluminum salts, meningococcal outer membranevesicle (OMV), montamide ISA, TiterMax™ (available from Sigma, St. LouisMo.), nitrocellulose absorption, immune-stimulating complexes such asQuil A, Gerbu™ adjuvant (Gerbu Biotechnik, Kirchwald, Germany), threonylmuramyl dipeptide, thymosin alpha, bupivacaine, GM-CSF, IncompleteFreund's Adjuvant, MIP-PE/MF59 (Ciba/Geigy, Basel, Switzerland),polyphosphazene, saponin derived from the soapbark tree Quillajasaponaria, and Syntex adjuvant formulation (Biocine, Emeryville,Calif.), among others well known to those in the art.

Antimicrobial drugs which are preferred for incorporation into thepresent composition include, for example, pharmaceutically acceptablesalts of β-lactam drugs, quinolone drugs, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin,tetracycline, erythromycin, amikacin, triclosan, doxycycline,capreomycin, chlorhexidine, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline,clindamycin, ethambutol, hexamidine isothionate, metronidazole,pentamidine, gentamycin, kanamycin, lineomycin, methacycline,methenamine, minocycline, neomycin, netilnycin, paromomycin,streptomycin, tobramycin, miconazole and amantadine.

Other drug moieties of use in practicing the present invention includeantineoplastic drugs (e.g., antiandrogens (e.g., leuprolide orflutamide), cytocidal agents (e.g. adriamycin, doxorubicin, taxol,cyclophosphamide, busulfan, cisplatin, β-2-interferon) anti-estrogens(e.g., tamoxifen), antimetabolites (e.g., fluorouracil, methotrexate,mercaptopurine, thioguanine). Also included within this class areradioisotope-based agents for both diagnosis and therapy, and conjugatedtoxins, such as ricin, geldanamycin, mytansin, CC-1065, C-1027, theduocarmycins, calicheamycin and related structures and analoguesthereof.

The therapeutic moiety can also be a hormone (e.g., medroxyprogesterone,estradiol, leuprolide, megestrol, octreotide or somatostatin); musclerelaxant drugs (e.g. cinnamedrine, cyclobenzaprine, flavoxate,orphenadrine, papaverine, mebeverine, idaverine, ritodrine,diphenoxylate, dantrolene and azumolen); antispasmodic drugs;bone-active drugs (e.g., diphosphonate and phosphonoalkylphosphinatedrug compounds); endocrine modulating drugs (e.g., contraceptives (e.g.,ethinodiol, ethinyl estradiol, norethindrone, mestranol, desogestrel,medroxyprogesterone), modulators of diabetes (e.g. glyburide orchlorpropamide), anabolics, such as testolactone or stanozolol,androgens (e.g., methyltestosterone, testosterone or fluoxymesterone),antidiuretics (e.g., desmopressin) and calcitonins).

Also of use in the present invention are estrogens (e.g.,diethylstilbesterol), glucocorticoids (e.g., triamcinolone,betamethasone, etc.) and progesterones, such as norethindrone,ethynodiol, norethindrone, levonorgestrel; thyroid agents (e.g.,liothyronine or levothyroxine) or anti-thyroid agents (e.g.,methimazole); antihyperprolactinemic drugs (e.g., cabergoline); hormonesuppressors (e.g., danazol or goserelin), oxytocics (e.g.,methylergonovine or oxytocin) and prostaglandins, such as mioprostol,alprostadil or dinoprostone, can also be employed.

Other useful modifying groups include immunomodulating drugs (e.g.,antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, such as lodoxamide and/orcromolyn, steroids (e.g., triamcinolone, beclomethazone, cortisone,dexamethasone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, beclomethasone, orclobetasol), histamine H₂ antagonists (e.g., famotidine, cimetidine,ranitidine), immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine, cyclosporin), etc.Groups with anti-inflammatory activity, such as sulindac, etodolac,ketoprofen and ketorolac, are also of use. Other drugs of use inconjunction with the present invention will be apparent to those ofskill in the art.

F. Preparation of Modified Sugars

Modified sugars useful in forming the conjugates of the invention arediscussed herein. The discussion focuses on preparing a sugar modifiedwith a water-soluble polymer for clarity of illustration. In particular,the discussion focuses on the preparation of modified sugars thatinclude a poly(ethylene glycol) moiety. Those of skill will appreciatethat the methods set forth herein are broadly applicable to thepreparation of modified sugars, therefore, the discussion should not beinterpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

In general, the sugar moiety and the modifying group are linked togetherthrough the use of reactive groups, which are typically transformed bythe linking process into a new organic functional group or unreactivespecies. The sugar reactive functional group(s), is located at anyposition on the sugar moiety. Reactive groups and classes of reactionsuseful in practicing the present invention are generally those that arewell known in the art of bioconjugate chemistry. Currently favoredclasses of reactions available with reactive sugar moieties are those,which proceed under relatively mild conditions. These include, but arenot limited to nucleophilic substitutions (e.g., reactions of amines andalcohols with acyl halides, active esters), electrophilic substitutions(e.g., enamine reactions) and additions to carbon-carbon andcarbon-heteroatom multiple bonds (e.g., Michael reaction, Diels-Alderaddition). These and other useful reactions are discussed in, forexample, Smith and March, ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, 5th Ed., JohnWiley & Sons, New York, 2001; Hermanson, BIOCONJUGATE TECHNIQUES,Academic Press, San Diego, 1996; and Feeney et al., MODIFICATION OFPROTEINS; Advances in Chemistry Series, Vol. 198, American ChemicalSociety, Washington, D.C., 1982.

Useful reactive functional groups pendent from a sugar nucleus ormodifying group include, but are not limited to:

(a) carboxyl groups and various derivatives thereof including, but notlimited to, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, N-hydroxybenzotriazole esters,acid halides, acyl imidazoles, thioesters, p-nitrophenyl esters, alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and aromatic esters;

(b) hydroxyl groups, which can be converted to, e.g., esters, ethers,aldehydes, etc.

(c) haloalkyl groups, wherein the halide can be later displaced with anucleophilic group such as, for example, an amine, a carboxylate anion,thiol anion, carbanion, or an alkoxide ion, thereby resulting in thecovalent attachment of a new group at the functional group of thehalogen atom;

(d) dienophile groups, which are capable of participating in Diels-Alderreactions such as, for example, maleimido groups;

(e) aldehyde or ketone groups, such that subsequent derivatization ispossible via formation of carbonyl derivatives such as, for example,imines, hydrazones, semicarbazones or oximes, or via such mechanisms asGrignard addition or alkyllithium addition;

(f) sulfonyl halide groups for subsequent reaction with amines, forexample, to form sulfonamides;

(g) thiol groups, which can be, for example, converted to disulfides orreacted with alkyl and acyl halides;

(h) amine or sulfhydryl groups, which can be, for example, acylated,alkylated or oxidized;

(i) alkenes, which can undergo, for example, cycloadditions, acylation,Michael addition, etc; and

(j) epoxides, which can react with, for example, amines and hydroxylcompounds.

The reactive functional groups can be chosen such that they do notparticipate in, or interfere with, the reactions necessary to assemblethe reactive sugar nucleus or modifying group. Alternatively, a reactivefunctional group can be protected from participating in the reaction bythe presence of a protecting group. Those of skill in the art understandhow to protect a particular functional group such that it does notinterfere with a chosen set of reaction conditions. For examples ofuseful protecting groups, see, for example, Greene et al., PROTECTIVEGROUPS IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1991.

In the discussion that follows, a number of specific examples ofmodified sugars that are useful in practicing the present invention areset forth. In the exemplary embodiments, a sialic acid derivative isutilized as the sugar nucleus to which the modifying group is attached.The focus of the discussion on sialic acid derivatives is for clarity ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of theinvention. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that a variety ofother sugar moieties can be activated and derivatized in a manneranalogous to that set forth using sialic acid as an example. Forexample, numerous methods are available for modifying galactose,glucose, N-acetylgalactosamine and fucose to name a few sugarsubstrates, which are readily modified by art recognized methods. See,for example, Ellalabi et al., Curr. Med. Chem. 6: 93 (1999); and Schaferet al., J. Org. Chem. 65:24 (2000).

In an exemplary embodiment, the peptide that is modified by a method ofthe invention is a peptide that is produced in mammalian cells (e.g.,CHO cells) or in a transgenic animal and thus, contains N- and/orO-linked oligosaccharide chains, which are incompletely sialylated. Theoligosaccharide chains of the glycopeptide lacking a sialic acid andcontaining a terminal galactose residue can be PEGylated, PPGylated orotherwise modified with a modified sialic acid.

In Scheme 4, the mannosamine glycoside 1, is treated with the activeester of a protected amino acid (e.g., glycine) derivative, convertingthe sugar amine residue into the corresponding protected amino acidamide adduct. The adduct is treated with an aldolase to form the sialicacid 2. Compound 2 is converted to the corresponding CMP derivative bythe action of CMP-SA synthetase, followed by catalytic hydrogenation ofthe CMP derivative to produce compound 3. The amine introduced viaformation of the glycine adduct is utilized as a locus of PEG or PPGattachment by reacting compound 3 with an activated PEG or PPGderivative (e.g., PEG-C(O)NHS, PPG-C(O)NHS), producing 4 or 5,respectively.

Table 2 sets forth representative examples of sugar monophosphates thatare derivatized with a PEG or PPG moiety. Certain of the compounds ofTable 2 are prepared by the method of Scheme 1. Other derivatives areprepared by art-recognized methods. See, for example, Keppler et al.,Glycobiology 11: 11R (2001); and Charter et al., Glycobiology 10: 1049(2000)). Other amine reactive PEG and PPG analogues are commerciallyavailable, or they can be prepared by methods readily accessible tothose of skill in the art.

TABLE 2 Examples of sugar monophosphates that are derivatized with a PEGor PPG moiety

CMP-KDN-5-O-R

CMP-NeuAc-9-NH-R

CMP-NeuAc-8-O-R

CMP-NeuAc-8-NH-R

CMP-NeuAc-7-O-R

CMP-NeuAc-7-NH-R

CMP-NeuAc-4-O-R

CMP-NeuAc-4-NH-R

CMP-SA-5-NH-R

CMP-NeuAc-9-O-R

The modified sugar phosphates of use in practicing the present inventioncan be substituted in other positions as well as those set forth above.Presently preferred substitutions of sialic acid are set forth inFormula 5.

in which X is a linking group, which is preferably selected from —O—,—N(H)—, —S, CH₂—, and N(R)₂, in which each R is a member independentlyselected from R¹-R⁵. The symbols Y, Z, A and B each represent a groupthat is selected from the group set forth above for the identity of X.X, Y, Z, A and B are each independently selected and, therefore, theycan be the same or different. The symbols R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵represent H, polymers, a water-soluble polymer, therapeutic moiety,biomolecule or other moiety. The symbol R6 represents H, OH, or apolymer. Alternatively, these symbols represent a linker that is boundto a polymer, water-soluble polymer, therapeutic moiety, biomolecule orother moiety.

In another exemplary embodiment, a mannosamine is simultaneouslyacylated and activated for a nucleophilic substitution by the use ofchloroacetic anhydride as set forth in Scheme 5.

The resulting chloro-derivatized glycan is contacted with pynivate inthe presence of an aldolase, forming a chloro-derivatized sialic acid.The corresponding nucleotide sugar is prepared by contacted the sialicacid derivative with an appropriate nucleotide triphosphates and asynthetase. The chloro group on the sialic acid moiety is then displacedwith a nucleophilic PEG derivative, such as thio-PEG.

In a further exemplary embodiment, as shown is Scheme 6, a mannosamineis acylated with a bis-HOPT dicarboxylate, producing the correspondingamido-alkyl-carboxylic acid, which is subsequently converted to a sialicacid derivative. The sialic acid derivative is converted to a nucleotidesugar, and the carboxylic acid is activated and reacted with anucleophilic PEG derivative, such as amino-PEG.

In another exemplary embodiment, set forth in Scheme 7, amine- andcarboxyl-protected neuraminic acid is activated by converting theprimary hydroxyl group to the corresponding p-toluenesulfonate ester,and the methyl ester is cleaved. The activated neuraminic acid isconverted to the corresponding nucleotide sugar, and the activatinggroup is displaced by a nucleophilic PEG species, such as thio-PEG.

In yet a further exemplary embodiment, as set forth in Scheme 8, theprimary hydroxyl moiety of an amine- and carboxyl-protected neuraminicacid derivative is alkylated using an electrophilic PEG, such aschloro-PEG. The methyl ester is subsequently cleaved and the PEG-sugaris converted to a nucleotide sugar.

Glycans other than sialic acid can be derivatized with PEG using themethods set forth herein. The derivatized glycans, themselves, are alsowithin the scope of the invention. Thus, Scheme 9 provides an exemplarysynthetic route to a PEGylated galactose nucleotide sugar. The primaryhydroxyl group of galactose is activated as the correspondingtoluenesulfonate ester, which is subsequently converted to a nucleotidesugar.

Scheme 10 sets forth an exemplary route for preparing a galactose-PEGderivative that is based upon a galactose-6-amine moiety. Thus,galactosamine is converted to a nucleotide sugar, and the amine moietyof galactosamine is functionalized with an active PEG derivative.

Scheme 11 provides another exemplary route to galactose derivatives. Thestarting point for Scheme 11 is galactose-2-amine, which is converted toa nucleotide sugar. The amine moiety of the nucleotide sugar is thelocus for attaching a PEG derivative, such as Methoxy-PEG (mPEG)carboxylic acid.

Exemplary moieties attached to the conjugates disclosed herein include,but are not limited to, PEG derivatives (e.g., acyl-PEG, acyl-alkyl-PEG,alkyl-acyl-PEG carbamoyl-PEG, aryl-PEG, alkyl-PEG), PPG derivatives(e.g., acyl-PPG, acyl-alkyl-PPG, alkyl-acyl-PPG carbamoyl-PPG,aryl-PPG), polyapartic acid, polyglutamate, polylysine, therapeuticmoieties, diagnostic moieties, mannose-6-phosphate, heparin, heparan,SLe^(x), mannose, mannose-6-phosphate, Sialyl Lewis X, FGF, VFGF,proteins (e.g., transferrin), chondroitin, keratan, dermatan, dextran,modified dextran, amylose, bisphosphate, poly-SA, hyaluronic acid,keritan, albumin, integrins, antennary oligosaccharides, peptides andthe like. Methods of conjugating the various modifying groups to asaccharide moiety are readily accessible to those of skill in the art(POLY(ETHYLENE GLYCOL CHEMISTRY: BIOTECHNICAL AND BIOMEDICALAPPLICATIONS, J. Milton Harris, Ed., Plenum Pub. Corp., 1992;POLY(ETHYLE GLYCOL) CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS, J. MiltonHarris, Ed., ACS Symposium Series No. 680, American Chemical Society,1997; Hermanson, BIOCONJUGATE TECHNIQUES, Academic Press, San Diego,1996; and Dunn et al., Eds. POLYMERIC DRUGS AND DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS,ACS Symposium Series Vol. 469, American Chemical Society, Washington,D.C. 1991).

Purification of Sugars, Nucleotide Sugars and Derivatives

The nucleotide sugars and derivatives produced by the above processescan be used without purification. However, it is usually preferred torecover the product. Standard, well-known techniques for recovery ofglycosylated saccharides such as thin or thick layer chromatography,column chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, or membranefiltration can be used. It is preferred to use membrane filtration, morepreferably utilizing a reverse osmotic membrane, or one or more columnchromatographic techniques for the recovery as is discussed hereinafterand in the literature cited herein. For instance, membrane filtrationwherein the membranes have molecular weight cutoff of about 3000 toabout 10,000 can be used to remove proteins for reagents having amolecular weight of less than 10,000 Da. Membrane filtration or reverseosmosis can then be used to remove salts and/or purify the productsaccharides (see, e.g., WO 98/15581). Nanofilter membranes are a classof reverse osmosis membranes that pass monovalent salts but retainpolyvalent salts and uncharged solutes larger than about 100 to about2,000 Daltons, depending upon the membrane used. Thus, in a typicalapplication, saccharides prepared by the methods of the presentinvention will be retained in the membrane and contaminating salts willpass through.

G. Cross-linking Groups

Preparation of the modified sugar for use in the methods of the presentinvention includes attachment of a modifying group to a sugar residueand forming a stable adduct, which is a substrate for aglycosyltransferase. Thus, it is often preferred to use a cross-linkingagent to conjugate the modifying group and the sugar. Exemplarybifunctional compounds which can be used for attaching modifying groupsto carbohydrate moieties include, but are not limited to, bifunctionalpoly(ethylene glycols), polyamides, polyethers, polyesters and the like.General approaches for linking carbohydrates to other molecules areknown in the literature. See, for example, Lee et al., Biochemistry 28:1856 (1989); Bhatia et al., Anal. Biochem. 178: 408 (1989); Janda etal., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 112: 8886 (1990) and Bednarski et al., WO92/18135. In the discussion that follows, the reactive groups aretreated as benign on the sugar moiety of the nascent modified sugar. Thefocus of the discussion is for clarity of illustration. Those of skillin the art will appreciate that the discussion is relevant to reactivegroups on the modifying group as well.

An exemplary strategy involves incorporation of a protected sulfhydrylonto the sugar using the heterobifunctional crosslinker SPDP(n-succinimidyl-3-2-pyridyldithio)propionate and then deprotecting thesulfhydryl for formation of a disulfide bond with another sulfhydryl onthe modifying group.

If SPDP detrimentally affects the ability of the modified sugar to actas a glycosyltransferase substrate, one of an array of othercrosslinkers such as 2-iminothiolane or N-succinimidylS-acetylthioacetate (SATA) is used to form a disulfide bond.2-iminothiolane reacts with primary amines, instantly incorporating anunprotected sulfhydryl onto the amine-containing molecule. SATA alsoreacts with primary amines, but incorporates a protected sulfhydryl,which is later deacetylated using hydroxylamine to produce a freesulfhydryl. In each case, the incorporated sulfhydryl is free to reactwith other sulfhydryls or protected sulfhydryl, like SPDP, forming therequired disulfide bond.

The above-described strategy is exemplary, and not limiting, of linkersof use in the invention. Other crosslinkers are available that can beused in different strategies for crosslinking the modifying group to thepeptide. For example, TPCH(S-(2-thiopyridyl)-L-cysteine hydrazide andTPMPH ((S-(2-thiopyridyl)mercapto-propionohydrazide) react withcarbohydrate moieties that have been previously oxidized by mildperiodate treatment, thus forming a hydrazone bond between the hydrazideportion of the crosslinker and the periodate generated aldehydes. TPCHand TPMPH introduce a 2-pyridylthione protected sulfhydryl group ontothe sugar, which can be deprotected with DTT and then subsequently usedfor conjugation, such as forming disulfide bonds between components.

If disulfide bonding is found unsuitable for producing stable modifiedsugars, other crosslinkers may be used that incorporate more stablebonds between components. The heterobifunctional crosslinkers GMBS(N-gamma-malimidobutyryloxy)succinimide) and SMCC (succinmidyl4-(N-maleimido-methyl)cyclohexane) react with primary amines, thusintroducing a maleimide group onto the component. The maleimide groupcan subsequently react with sulfhydryls on the other component, whichcan be introduced by previously mentioned crosslinkers, thus forming astable thioether bond between the components. If steric hindrancebetween components interferes with either component's activity or theability of the modified sugar to act as a glycosyltransferase substrate,crosslinkers can be used which introduce long spacer arms betweencomponents and include derivatives of some of the previously mentionedcrosslinkers (i.e., SPDP). Thus, there is an abundance of suitablecrosslinkers, which are useful; each of which is selected depending onthe effects it has on optimal peptide conjugate and modified sugarproduction.

A variety of reagents are used to modify the components of the modifiedsugar with intramolecular chemical crosslinks (for reviews ofcrosslinking reagents and crosslinking procedures see: Wold, F., Meth.Enzymol. 25: 623-651, 1972; Weetall, H. H., and Cooney, D. A., In:ENZYMES AS DRUGS. (Holcenberg, and Roberts, eds.) pp. 395-442, Wiley,New York, 1981; Ji, T. H., Meth. Enzymol. 91: 580-609, 1983; Mattson etal., Mol. Biol. Rep. 17: 167-183, 1993, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference). Preferred crosslinking reagents are derived fromvarious zero-length, homo-bifunctional, and hetero-bifunctionalcrosslinking reagents. Zero-length crosslinking reagents include directconjugation of two intrinsic chemical groups with no introduction ofextrinsic material. Agents that catalyze formation of a disulfide bondbelong to this category. Another example is reagents that inducecondensation of a carboxyl and a primary amino group to form an amidebond such as carbodiimides, ethylchloroformate, Woodward's reagent K(2-ethyl-5-phenylisoxazolium-3′-sulfonate), and carbonyldiimidazole. Inaddition to these chemical reagents, the enzyme transglutaminase(glutamyl-peptide γ-glutamyltransferase; EC 2.3.2.13) may be used aszero-length crosslinking reagent. This enzyme catalyzes acyl transferreactions at carboxamide groups of protein-bound glutaminyl residues,usually with a primary amino group as substrate. Preferred homo- andhetero-bifunctional reagents contain two identical or two dissimilarsites, respectively, which may be reactive for amino, sulfhydryl,guanidino, indole, or nonspecific groups.

2. Preferred Specific Sites in Crosslinking Reagents

a. Amino-Reactive Groups

In one preferred embodiment, the sites on the cross-linker areamino-reactive groups. Useful non-limiting examples of amino-reactivegroups include N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters, imidoesters,isocyanates, acylhalides, arylazides, p-nitrophenyl esters, aldehydes,and sulfonyl chlorides.

NHS esters react preferentially with the primary (including aromatic)amino groups of a modified sugar component. The imidazole groups ofhistidines are known to compete with primary amines for reaction, butthe reaction products are unstable and readily hydrolyzed. The reactioninvolves the nucleophilic attack of an amine on the acid carboxyl of anNHS ester to form an amide, releasing the N-hydroxysuccinimide. Thus,the positive charge of the original amino group is lost.

Imidoesters are the most specific acylating reagents for reaction withthe amine groups of the modified sugar components. At a pH between 7 and10, imidoesters react only with primary amines. Primary amines attackimidates nucleophilically to produce an intermediate that breaks down toamidine at high pH or to a new imidate at low pH. The new imidate canreact with another primary amine, thus crosslinking two amino groups, acase of a putatively monofunctional imidate reacting bifunctionally. Theprincipal product of reaction with primary amines is an amidine that isa stronger base than the original amine. The positive charge of theoriginal amino group is therefore retained.

Isocyanates (and isothiocyanates) react with the primary amines of themodified sugar components to form stable bonds. Their reactions withsulfhydryl, imidazole, and tyrosyl groups give relatively unstableproducts.

Acylazides are also used as amino-specific reagents in whichnucleophilic amines of the affinity component attack acidic carboxylgroups under slightly alkaline conditions, e.g. pH 8.5.

Arylhalides such as 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene react preferentiallywith the amino groups and tyrosine phenolic groups of modified sugarcomponents, but also with sulfhydryl and imidazole groups.

p-Nitrophenyl esters of mono- and dicarboxylic acids are also usefulamino-reactive groups. Although the reagent specificity is not veryhigh, α- and ε-amino groups appear to react most rapidly.

Aldehydes such as glutaraldehyde react with primary amines of modifiedsugar. Although unstable Schiff bases are formed upon reaction of theamino groups with the aldehydes of the aldehydes, glutaraldehyde iscapable of modifying the modified sugar with stable crosslinks. At pH6-8, the pH of typical crosslinking conditions, the cyclic polymersundergo a dehydration to form α-β unsaturated aldehyde polymers. Schiffbases, however, are stable, when conjugated to another double bond. Theresonant interaction of both double bonds prevents hydrolysis of theSchiff linkage. Furthermore, amines at high local concentrations canattack the ethylenic double bond to form a stable Michael additionproduct.

Aromatic sulfonyl chlorides react with a variety of sites of themodified sugar components, but reaction with the amino groups is themost important, resulting in a stable sulfonamide linkage.

b. Sulfhydryl-Reactive Groups

In another preferred embodiment, the sites are sulfhydryl-reactivegroups. Useful, non-limiting examples of sulfhydryl-reactive groupsinclude maleimides, alkyl halides, pyridyl disulfides, andthiophthalimides.

Maleimides react preferentially with the sulfhydryl group of themodified sugar components to form stable thioether bonds. They alsoreact at a much slower rate with primary amino groups and the imidazolegroups of histidines. However, at pH 7 the maleimide group can beconsidered a sulfhydryl-specific group, since at this pH the reactionrate of simple thiols is 1000-fold greater than that of thecorresponding amine.

Alkyl halides react with sulfhydryl groups, sulfides, imidazoles, andamino groups. At neutral to slightly alkaline pH, however, alkyl halidesreact primarily with sulfhydryl groups to form stable thioether bonds.At higher pH, reaction with amino groups is favored.

Pyridyl disulfides react with free sulfhydryls via disulfide exchange togive mixed disulfides. As a result, pyridyl disulfides are the mostspecific sulfhydryl-reactive groups.

Thiophthalimides react with free sulfhydryl groups to form disulfides.

c. Carboxyl-Reactive Residue

In another embodiment, carbodiimides soluble in both water and organicsolvent, are used as carboxyl-reactive reagents. These compounds reactwith free carboxyl groups forming a pseudourea that can then coupled toavailable amines yielding an amide linkage. Procedures to modify acarboxyl group with carbodimide is well know in the art (see, Yamada etal., Biochemistry 20: 4836-4842, 1981).

3. Preferred Nonspecific Sites in Crosslinking Reagents

In addition to the use of site-specific reactive moieties, the presentinvention contemplates the use of non-specific reactive groups to linkthe sugar to the modifying group.

Exemplary non-specific cross-linkers include photoactivatable groups,completely inert in the dark, which are converted to reactive speciesupon absorption of a photon of appropriate energy. In one preferredembodiment, photoactivatable groups are selected from precursors ofnitrenes generated upon heating or photolysis of azides.Electron-deficient nitrenes are extremely reactive and can react with avariety of chemical bonds including N—H, O—H, C—H, and C═C. Althoughthree types of azides (aryl, alkyl, and acyl derivatives) may beemployed, arylazides are presently preferred. The reactivity ofarylazides upon photolysis is better with N—H and O—H than C—H bonds.Electron-deficient arylnitrenes rapidly ring-expand to formdehydroazepines, which tend to react with nucleophiles, rather than formC—H insertion products. The reactivity of arylazides can be increased bythe presence of electron-withdrawing substituents such as nitro orhydroxyl groups in the ring. Such substituents push the absorptionmaximum of arylazides to longer wavelength. Unsubstituted arylazideshave an absorption maximum in the range of 260-280 nm, while hydroxy andnitroarylazides absorb significant light beyond 305 nm. Therefore,hydroxy and nitroarylazides are most preferable since they allow toemploy less harmful photolysis conditions for the affinity componentthan unsubstituted arylazides.

In another preferred embodiment, photoactivatable groups are selectedfrom fluorinated arylazides. The photolysis products of fluorinatedarylazides are arylnitrenes, all of which undergo the characteristicreactions of this group, including C—H bond insertion, with highefficiency (Keana et al., J. Org. Chem. 55: 3640-3647, 1990).

In another embodiment, photoactivatable groups are selected frombenzophenone residues. Benzophenone reagents generally give highercrosslinking yields than arylazide reagents.

In another embodiment, photoactivatable groups are selected from diazocompounds, which form an electron-deficient carbene upon photolysis.These carbenes undergo a variety of reactions including insertion intoC—H bonds, addition to double bonds (including aromatic systems),hydrogen attraction and coordination to nucleophilic centers to givecarbon ions.

In still another embodiment, photoactivatable groups are selected fromdiazopyruvates. For example, the p-nitrophenyl ester of p-nitrophenyldiazopyruvate reacts with aliphatic amines to give diazopyruvic acidamides that undergo ultraviolet photolysis to form aldehydes. Thephotolyzed diazopyruvate-modified affinity component will react likeformaldehyde or glutaraldehyde forming crosslinks.

4. Homobifunctional Reagents

a. Homobifunctional Crosslinkers Reactive with Primary Amines

Synthesis, properties, and applications of amine-reactive cross-linkersare commercially described in the literature (for reviews ofcrosslinking procedures and reagents, see above). Many reagents areavailable (e.g., Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill.; Sigma ChemicalCompany, St. Louis, Mo.; Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, Oreg.).

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional NHS esters includedisuccinimidyl glutarate (DSG), disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS),bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate (BS), disuccinimidyl tartarate (DST),disulfosuccinimidyl tartarate (sulfo-DST),bis-2-(succinimidooxycarbonyloxy)ethylsulfone (BSOCOES),bis-2-(sulfosuccinimidooxycarbonyloxy)ethylsulfone (sulfo-BSOCOES),ethylene glycolbis(succinimidylsuccinate) (EGS), ethyleneglycolbis(sulfosuccinimidylsuccinate) (sulfo-EGS),dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate (DSP), anddithiobis(sulfosuccinimidylpropionate (sulfo-DSP). Preferred,non-limiting examples of homobifunctional imidoesters include dimethylmalonimidate (DMM), dimethyl succinimidate (DMSC), dimethyl adipimidate(DMA), dimethyl pimelimidate (DMP), dimethyl suberimidate (DMS),dimethyl-3,3′-oxydipropionimidate (DODP),dimethyl-3,3′-(methylenedioxy)dipropionimidate (DMDP),dimethyl-,3′-(dimethylenedioxy)dipropionimidate (DDDP),dimethyl-3,3′-(tetramethylenedioxy)dipropionimidate (DTDP), anddimethyl-3,3′-dithiobispropionimidate (DTBP).

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional isothiocyanatesinclude: p-phenylenediisothiocyanate (DITC), and4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-disulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS).

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional isocyanates includexylene-diisocyanate, toluene-2,4diisocyanate,toluene-2-isocyanate-4isothiocyanate,3-methoxydiphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate,2,2′-dicarboxy-4,4′-azophenyldiisocyanate, andhexamethylenediisocyanate.

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional arylhalides include1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DFDNB), and4,4′-difluoro-3,3′-dinitrophenyl-sulfone.

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional aliphatic aldehydereagents include glyoxal, malondialdehyde, and glutaraldehyde.

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional acylating reagentsinclude nitrophenyl esters of dicarboxylic acids.

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional aromatic sulfonylchlorides include phenol-2,4-disulfonyl chloride, andα-naphthol-2,4-disulfonyl chloride.

Preferred, non-limiting examples of additional amino-reactivehomobifunctional reagents include erythritolbiscarbonate which reactswith amines to give biscarbamates.

b. Homobifunctional Crosslinkers Reactive with Free Sulfhydryl Groups

Synthesis, properties, and applications of such reagents are describedin the literature (for reviews of crosslinking procedures and reagents,see above). Many of the reagents are commercially available (e.g.,Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill.; Sigma Chemical Company, St.Louis, Mo.; Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, Oreg.).

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional maleimides includebismaleimidohexane (BMH), N,N′-(1,3-phenylene)bismaleimide,N,N-1,2-phenylene)bismaleimide, azophenyldimaleimide, andbis(N-maleimidomethyl)ether.

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional pyridyl disulfidesinclude 1,4-di-3′-(2′-pyridyldithio)propionamidobutane (DPDPB).

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional alkyl halidesinclude 2,2′-dicarboxy-4,4′-diiodoacetamidoazobenzene,α,α′-diiodo-p-xylenesulfonic acid, α,α′-dibromo-p-xylenesulfonic acid,N,N′-bis(b-bromoethyl)benzylamine, N,N′-di(bromoacetyl)phenylthydrazine,and 1,2-di(bromoacetyl)amino-3-phenylpropane.

c. Homobifunctional Photoactivatable Crosslinkers

Synthesis, properties, and applications of such reagents are describedin the literature (for reviews of crosslinking procedures and reagents,see above). Some of the reagents are commercially available (e.g.,Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill.; Sigma Chemical Company, St.Louis, Mo.; Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, Oreg.).

Preferred, non-limiting examples of homobifunctional photoactivatablecrosslinker include bis-β-(4-azidosalicylamido)ethyldisulfide (BASED),di-N-(2-nitro-4-azidophenyl)cystamine-S,S-dioxide (DNCO), and4,4′-dithiobisphenylazide.

5. HeteroBifunctional Reagents

a. Amino-Reactive HeteroBifunctional Reagents with a Pyrdyl DisulfideMoiety

Synthesis, properties, and applications of such reagents are describedin the literature (for reviews of crosslinking procedures and reagents,see above). Many of the reagents are commercially available (e.g.,Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill.; Sigma Chemical Company, St.Louis, Mo.; Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, Oreg.).

Preferred, non-limiting examples of hetero-bifunctional reagents with apyridyl disulfide moiety and an amino-reactive NHS ester includeN-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP), succinimidyl6-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionamidohexanoate (LC-SPDP), sulfosuccinimidyl6-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionamidohexanoate (sulfo-LCSPDP),4-succinimidyloxycarbonyl-α-methyl-α-(2-pyridyldithio)toluene (SMPT),and sulfosuccinimidyl 6-α-methyl-α-(2-pyridyldithio)toluamidohexanoate(sulfo-LC-SMPT).

b. Amino-Reactive HeteroBifunctional Reagents with a Maleimide Moiety

Synthesis, properties, and applications of such reagents are describedin the literature. Preferred, non-limiting examples ofhetero-bifunctional reagents with a maleimide moiety and anamino-reactive NHS ester include succinimidyl maleimidylacetate (AMAS),succinimidyl 3-maleimidylpropionate (BMPS),N-γ-maleimidobutyryloxysuccinimide ester (GMBS)N-γ-maleimidobutyryloxysulfo succinimide ester (sulfo-GMBS) succinimidyl6-maleimidylhexanoate (EMCS), succinimidyl 3-maleimidylbenzoate (SMB),m-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (MBS),m-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide ester (sulfo-MBS),succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (SMCC),sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate(sulfo-SMCC), succinimidyl 4-(p-maleimidophenyl)butyrate (SMPB), andsulfosuccinimidyl 4-(p-maleimidophenyl)butyrate (sulfo-SMPB).

c. Amino-Reactive HeteroBifunctional Reagents with an Alkyl HalideMoiety

Synthesis, properties, and applications of such reagents are describedin the literature. Preferred, non-limiting examples ofhetero-bifunctional reagents with an alkyl halide moiety and anamino-reactive NHS ester includeN-succinimidyl-(4-iodoacetyl)aminobenzoate (SIAB),sulfosuccinimidyl-(4-iodoacetyl)aminobenzoate (sulfo-SIAB),succinimidyl-6-(iodoacetyl)-aminohexanoate (SIAX),succinimidyl-6-(6-((iodoacetyl)-amino)hexanoylamino)hexanoate (SIAXX),succinimidyl-6-(((4-(iodoacetyl)-amino)-methyl)-cyclohexane-1-carbonyl)aminohexanoate(SIACX), andsuccinimidyl-4((iodoacetyl)-amino)methylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate(SIAC).

A preferred example of a hetero-bifunctional reagent with anamino-reactive NHS ester and an alkyl dihalide moiety isN-hydroxysuccinimidyl 2,3-dibromopropionate (SDBP). SDBP introducesintramolecular crosslinks to the affinity component by conjugating itsamino groups. The reactivity of the dibromopropionyl moiety towardsprimary amine groups is controlled by the reaction temperature (McKenzieet al., Protein Chem. 7: 581-592 (1988)).

Preferred, non-limiting examples of hetero-bifunctional reagents with analkyl halide moiety and an amino-reactive p-nitrophenyl ester moietyinclude p-nitrophenyl iodoacetate (NPIA).

Other cross-linking agents are known to those of skill in the art. See,for example, Pomato et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,106. It is within theabilities of one of skill in the art to choose an appropriatecross-linking agent for a particular application.

d. Cleavable Linker Groups

In yet a further embodiment, the linker group is provided with a groupthat can be cleaved to release the modifying group from the sugarresidue. Many cleavable groups are known in the art. See, for example,Jung et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta 761: 152-162 (1983); Joshi et al.,J. Biol. Chem. 265: 14518-14525 (1990); Zarling et al., J. Immunol. 124:913-920 (1980); Bouizar et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 155: 141-147 (1986);Park et al., J. Biol. Chem. 261: 205-210 (1986); Browning et al., J.Immunol. 143: 1859-1867 (1989). Moreover a broad range of cleavable,bifunctional (both homo- and hetero-bifunctional) linker groups iscommercially available from suppliers such as Pierce.

Exemplary cleavable moieties can be cleaved using light, heat orreagents such as thiols, hydroxylamine, bases, periodate and the like.Moreover, certain preferred groups are cleaved in vivo in response tobeing endocytosed (e.g., cis-aconityl; see, Shen et al., Biochem.Biophys. Res. Commun. 102: 1048 (1991)). Preferred cleavable groupscomprise a cleavable moiety which is a member selected from the groupconsisting of disulfide, ester, imide, carbonate, nitrobenzyl, phenacyland benzoin groups.

e. Conjugation of Modified Sugars to Peptides

The modified sugars are conjugated to a glycosylated or non-glycosylatedpeptide using an appropriate enzyme to mediate the conjugation.Preferably, the concentrations of the modified donor sugar(s), enzyme(s)and acceptor peptide(s) are selected such that glycosylation proceedsuntil the acceptor is consumed. The considerations discussed below,while set forth in the context of a sialyltransferase, are generallyapplicable to other glycosyltransferase reactions.

A number of methods of using glycosyltransferases to synthesize desiredoligosaccharide structures are known and are generally applicable to theinstant invention. Exemplary methods are described, for instance, WO96/32491, Ito et al., Pure Appl. Chem. 65: 753 (1993), and U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,352,670, 5,374,541, and 5,545,553.

The present invention is practiced using a single glycosyltransferase ora combination of glycosyltransferases. For example, one can use acombination of a sialyltransferase and a galactosyltransferase. In thoseembodiments using more than one enzyme, the enzymes and substrates arepreferably combined in an initial reaction mixture, or the enzymes andreagents for a second enzymatic reaction are added to the reactionmedium once the first enzymatic reaction is complete or nearly complete.By conducting two enzymatic reactions in sequence in a single vessel,overall yields are improved over procedures in which an intermediatespecies is isolated. Moreover, cleanup and disposal of extra solventsand by-products is reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second enzyme is aglycosyltransferase. In another preferred embodiment, one enzyme is anendoglycosidase. In another preferred embodiment, one enzyme is anexoglycosidase. In an additional preferred embodiment, more than twoenzymes are used to assemble the modified glycoprotein of the invention.The enzymes are used to alter a saccharide structure on the peptide atany point either before or after the addition of the modified sugar tothe peptide.

In another embodiment, at least two of the enzymes areglycosyltransferases and the last sugar added to the saccharidestructure of the peptide is a non-modified sugar. Instead, the modifiedsugar is internal to the glycan structure and therefore need not be theultimate sugar on the glycan. In an exemplary embodiment,galactosyltransferase may catalyze the transfer of Gal-PEG fromUDP-Gal-PEG onto the glycan, followed by incubation in the presence ofST3Gal3 and CMP-SA, which serves to add a “capping” unmodified sialicacid onto the glycan (FIG. 22A).

In another embodiment, at least two of the enzymes used areglycosyltransferases, and at least two modified sugars are added to theglycan structures on the peptide. In this manner, two or more differentglycoconjugates may be added to one or more glycans on a peptide. Thisprocess generates glycan structures having two or more functionallydifferent modified sugars. In an exemplary embodiment, incubation of thepeptide with GnT-I,II and UDP-GlcNAc-PEG serves to add a GlcNAc-PEGmolecule to the glycan; incubation with galactosyltransferase andUDP-Gal then serves to add a Gal residue thereto; and, incubation withST3Gal3 and CMP-SA-Man-6-Phosphate serves to add aSA-mannose-6-phosphate molecule to the glycan. This series of reactionsresults in a glycan chain having the functional characteristics of aPEGylated glycan as well as mannose-6-phosphate targeting activity (FIG.22B).

In another embodiment, at least two of the enzymes used in the reactionare glycosyltransferases, and again, different modified sugars are addedto N-linked and O-linked glycans on the peptide. This embodiment isuseful when two different modified sugars are to be added to the glycansof a peptide, but when it is important to spatially separate themodified sugars on the peptide from each other. For example, if themodified sugars comprise bulky molecules, including but not limited to,PEG and other molecules such as a linker molecule, this method may bepreferable. The modified sugars may be added simultaneously to theglycan structures on a peptide, or they may be added sequentially. In anexemplary embodiment, incubation with ST3Gal3 and CMP-SA-PEG serves toadd sialic acid-PEG to the N-linked glycans, while incubation withST3Gal1 and CMP-SA-bisPhosphonate serves to add sialylicacid-BisPhosphonate to the O-linked glycans (FIG. 22C).

In another embodiment, the method makes use of one or more exo- orendoglycosidase. The glycosidase is typically a mutant, which isengineered to form glycosyl bonds rather than rupture them. The mutantglycanase, sometimes called a glycosynthase, typically includes asubstitution of an amino acid residue for an active site acidic aminoacid residue. For example, when the endoglycanase is endo-H, thesubstituted active site residues will typically be Asp at position 130,Glu at position 132 or a combination thereof. The amino acids aregenerally replaced with serine, alanine, asparagine, or glutamine.Exoglycosidases such as transialylidase are also useful.

The mutant enzyme catalyzes the reaction, usually by a synthesis stepthat is analogous to the reverse reaction of the endoglycanasehydrolysis step. In these embodiments, the glycosyl donor molecule(e.g., a desired oligo- or mono-saccharide structure) contains a leavinggroup and the reaction proceeds with the addition of the donor moleculeto a GlcNAc residue on the protein. For example, the leaving group canbe a halogen, such as fluoride. In other embodiments, the leaving groupis a Asn, or a Asn-peptide moiety. In yet further embodiments, theGlcNAc residue on the glycosyl donor molecule is modified. For example,the GlcNAc residue may comprise a 1,2 oxazoline moiety.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the enzymes utilized to produce aconjugate of the invention are present in a catalytic amount. Thecatalytic amount of a particular enzyme varies according to theconcentration of that enzyme's substrate as well as to reactionconditions such as temperature, time and pH value. Means for determiningthe catalytic amount for a given enzyme under preselected substrateconcentrations and reaction conditions are well known to those of skillin the art.

The temperature at which an above-described-process is carried out canrange from just above freezing to the temperature at which the mostsensitive enzyme denatures. Preferred temperature ranges are about 0° C.to about 55° C., and more preferably about 30° C. to about 37° C. Inanother exemplary embodiment, one or more components of the presentmethod are conducted at an elevated temperature using a thermophilicenzyme.

The reaction mixture is maintained for a period of time sufficient forthe acceptor to be glycosylated, thereby forming the desired conjugate.Some of the conjugate can often be detected after a few hours, withrecoverable amounts usually being obtained within 24 hours or less.Those of skill in the art understand that the rate of reaction isdependent on a number of variable factors (e.g., enzyme concentration,donor concentration, acceptor concentration, temperature, solventvolume), which are optimized for a selected system.

The present invention also provides for the industrial-scale productionof modified peptides. As used herein, an industrial scale generallyproduces at least one gram of finished, purified conjugate.

In the discussion that follows, the invention is exemplified by theconjugation of modified sialic acid moieties to a glycosylated peptide.The exemplary modified sialic acid is labeled with PEG. The focus of thefollowing discussion on the use of PEG-modified sialic acid andglycosylated peptides is for clarity of illustration and is not intendedto imply that the invention is limited to the conjugation of these twopartners. One of skill understands that the discussion is generallyapplicable to the additions of modified glycosyl moieties other thansialic acid. Moreover, the discussion is equally applicable to themodification of a glycosyl unit with agents other than PEG includingother water-soluble polymers, therapeutic moieties, and biomolecules.

An enzymatic approach can be used for the selective introduction ofPEGylated or PPGylated carbohydrates onto a peptide or glycopeptide. Themethod utilizes modified sugars containing PEG, PPG, or a maskedreactive functional group, and is combined with the appropriateglycosyltransferase or glycosynthase. By selecting theglycosyltransferase that will make the desired carbohydrate linkage andutilizing the modified sugar as the donor substrate, the PEG or PPG canbe introduced directly onto the peptide backbone, onto existing sugarresidues of a glycopeptide or onto sugar residues that have been addedto a peptide.

An acceptor for the sialyltransferase is present on the peptide to bemodified by the methods of the present invention either as a naturallyoccurring structure or one placed there recombinantly, enzymatically orchemically. Suitable acceptors, include, for example, galactosylacceptors such as Galβ1,4GlcNAc, Galβ1,4GalNAc, Galβ1,3GalNAc,lacto-N-tetraose, Galβ1,3GlcNAc, Galβ1,3Ara, Galβ1,6GlcNAc, Galβ1,4Glc(lactose), and other acceptors known to those of skill in the art (see,e.g., Paulson et al., J. Biol. Chem. 253: 5617-5624 (1978)).

In one embodiment, an acceptor for the sialyltransferase is present onthe peptide to be modified upon in vivo synthesis of the peptide. Suchpeptides can be sialylated using the claimed methods without priormodification of the glycosylation pattern of the peptide. Alternatively,the methods of the invention can be used to sialylate a peptide thatdoes not include a suitable acceptor; one first modifies the peptide toinclude an acceptor by methods known to those of skill in the art. In anexemplary embodiment, a GalNAc residue is added by the action of aGalNAc transferase.

In an exemplary embodiment, the galactosyl acceptor is assembled byattaching a galactose residue to an appropriate acceptor linked to thepeptide, e.g., a GlcNAc. The method includes incubating the peptide tobe modified with a reaction mixture that contains a suitable amount of agalactosyltransferase (e.g., galβ1,3 or galβ1,4), and a suitablegalactosyl donor (e.g., UDP-galactose). The reaction is allowed toproceed substantially to completion or, alternatively, the reaction isterminated when a preselected amount of the galactose residue is added.Other methods of assembling a selected saccharide acceptor will beapparent to those of skill in the art.

In yet another embodiment, peptide-linked oligosaccharides are first“trimmed,” either in whole or in part, to expose either an acceptor forthe sialyltransferase or a moiety to which one or more appropriateresidues can be added to obtain a suitable acceptor. Enzymes such asglycosyltransferases and endoglycosidases (see, for example U.S. Pat.No. 5,716,812) are useful for the attaching and trimming reactions. Adetailed discussion of “trimming” and remodeling N-linked and O-linkedglycans is provided elsewhere herein.

In the discussion that follows, the method of the invention isexemplified by the use of modified sugars having a water-soluble polymerattached thereto. The focus of the discussion is for clarity ofillustration. Those of skill will appreciate that the discussion isequally relevant to those embodiments in which the modified sugar bearsa therapeutic moiety, biomolecule or the like.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention in which a carbohydrate residueis “trimmed” prior to the addition of the modified sugar is set forth inFIG. 13, which sets forth a scheme in which high mannose is trimmed backto the first generation biantennary structure. A modified sugar bearinga water-soluble polymer is conjugated to one or more of the sugarresidues exposed by the “trimming back.” In one example, a water-solublepolymer is added via a GlcNAc moiety conjugated to the water-solublepolymer. The modified GlcNAc is attached to one or both of the terminalmannose residues of the biantennary structure. Alternatively, anunmodified GlcNAc can be added to one or both of the termini of thebranched species.

In another exemplary embodiment, a water-soluble polymer is added to oneor both of the terminal mannose residues of the biantennary structurevia a modified sugar having a galactose residue, which is conjugated toa GlcNAc residue added onto the terminal mannose residues.Alternatively, an unmodified Gal can be added to one or both terminalGlcNAc residues.

In yet a further example, a water-soluble polymer is added onto a Galresidue using a modified sialic acid.

Another exemplary embodiment is set forth in FIG. 14, which displays ascheme similar to that shown in FIG. 13, in which the high mannosestructure is “trimmed back” to the mannose from which the biantennarystructure branches. In one example, a water-soluble polymer is added viaa GlcNAc modified with the polymer. Alternatively, an unmodified GlcNAcis added to the mannose, followed by a Gal with an attachedwater-soluble polymer. In yet another embodiment, unmodified GlcNAc andGal residues are sequentially added to the mannose, followed by a sialicacid moiety modified with a water-soluble polymer.

FIG. 15 sets forth a further exemplary embodiment using a scheme similarto that shown in FIG. 13, in which high mannose is “trimmed back” to theGlcNAc to which the first mannose is attached. The GlcNAc is conjugatedto a Gal residue bearing a water-soluble polymer. Alternatively, anunmodified Gal is added to the GlcNAc, followed by the addition of asialic acid modified with a water-soluble sugar. In yet a furtherexample, the terminal GlcNAc is conjugated with Gal and the GlcNAc issubsequently fucosylated with a modified fucose bearing a water-solublepolymer.

FIG. 16 is a scheme similar to that shown in FIG. 13, in which highmannose is trimmed back to the first GlcNAc attached to the Asn of thepeptide. In one example, the GlcNAc of the GlcNAc-(Fuc)_(a) residue isconjugated with a GlcNAc bearing a water soluble polymer. In anotherexample, the GlcNAc of the GlcNAc-(Fuc)_(a) residue is modified withGal, which bears a water soluble polymer. In a still further embodiment,the GlcNAc is modified with Gal, followed by conjugation to the Gal of asialic acid modified with a water-soluble polymer.

Other exemplary embodiments are set forth in FIGS. 17-21. Anillustration of the array of reaction types with which the presentinvention may be practiced is provided in each of the aforementionedfigures.

The Examples set forth above provide an illustration of the power of themethods set forth herein. Using the methods of the invention, it ispossible to “trim back” and build up a carbohydrate residue ofsubstantially any desired structure. The modified sugar can be added tothe termini of the carbohydrate moiety as set forth above, or it can beintermediate between the peptide core and the terminus of thecarbohydrate.

In an exemplary embodiment, an existing sialic acid is removed from aglycopeptide using a sialidase, thereby unmasking all or most of theunderlying galactosyl residues. Alternatively, a peptide or glycopeptideis labeled with galactose residues, or an oligosaccharide residue thatterminates in a galactose unit. Following the exposure of or addition ofthe galactose residues, an appropriate sialyltransferase is used to adda modified sialic acid. The approach is summarized in Scheme 12.

In yet a further approach, summarized in Scheme 13, a masked reactivefunctionality is present on the sialic acid. The masked reactive groupis preferably unaffected by the conditions used to attach the modifiedsialic acid to the peptide. After the covalent attachment of themodified sialic acid to the peptide, the mask is removed and the peptideis conjugated with an agent such as PEG, PPG, a therapeutic moiety,biomolecule or other agent. The agent is conjugated to the peptide in aspecific manner by its reaction with the unmasked reactive group on themodified sugar residue.

Any modified sugar can be used with its appropriate glycosyltransferase,depending on the terminal sugars of the oligosaccharide side chains ofthe glycopeptide (Table 3). As discussed above, the terminal sugar ofthe glycopeptide required for introduction of the PEGylated or PPGylatedstructure can be introduced naturally during expression or it can beproduced post expression using the appropriate glycosidase(s),glycosyltransferase(s) or mix of glycosidase(s) andglycosyltransferase(s).

TABLE 3

UDP-galactose-derivatives UDP-galactosamine-derivatives (when A = NH, R₄may be acetyl)

UDP-Glucose-derivatives UDP-Glucosamine-derivatives (when A = NH, R₄ maybe acetyl)

GDP-Mannose-derivatives

GDP-fucose-derivatives X = O, NH, S, CH₂, N—(R₁₋₅)₂. Y = X; Z = X; A =X; B = X. Q = H₂, O, S, NH, N—R. R, R₁₋₄ = H, Linker-M, M. M = Ligand ofinterest Ligand of interest = acyl-PEG, acyl-PPG, alkyl-PEG,acyl-alkyl-PEG, acyl-alkyl-PEG, carbamoyl-PEG, carbamoyl-PPG, PEG, PPG,acyl-aryl-PEG, acyl-aryl-PPG, aryl-PEG, aryl-PPG, Mannose-₆-phosphate,heparin, heparan, SLex, Mannose, FGF, VFGF, protein, chondroitin,keratan, dermatan, albumin, integrins, peptides, etc.

In a further exemplary embodiment, UDP-galactose-PEG is reacted withbovine milk β1,4-galactosyltransferase, thereby transferring themodified galactose to the appropriate terminal N-acetylglucosaminestructure. The terminal GlcNAc residues on the glycopeptide may beproduced during expression, as may occur in such expression systems asmammalian, insect, plant or fungus, but also can be produced by treatingthe glycopeptide with a sialidase and/or glycosidase and/orglycosyltransferase, as required.

In another exemplary embodiment, a GlcNAc transferase, such as GnTI-V,is utilized to transfer PEGylated-GlcNc to a mannose residue on aglycopeptide. In a still further exemplary embodiment, the N- and/orO-linked glycan structures are enzymatically removed from a glycopeptideto expose an amino acid or a terminal glycosyl residue that issubsequently conjugated with the modified sugar. For example, anendoglycanase is used to remove the N-linked structures of aglycopeptide to expose a terminal GlcNAc as a GlcNAc-linked-Asn on theglycopeptide. UDP-Gal-PEG and the appropriate galactosyltransferase isused to introduce the PEG- or PPG-galactose functionality onto theexposed GlcNAc.

In an alternative embodiment, the modified sugar is added directly tothe peptide backbone using a glycosyltransferase known to transfer sugarresidues to the peptide backbone. This exemplary embodiment is set forthin Scheme 14. Exemplary glycosyltransferases useful in practicing thepresent invention include, but are not limited to, GalNAc transferases(GalNAc T1-14), GlcNAc transferases, fucosyltransferases,glucosyltransferases, xylosyltransferases, mannosyltransferases and thelike. Use of this approach allows the direct addition of modified sugarsonto peptides that lack any carbohydrates or, alternatively, ontoexisting glycopeptides. In both cases, the addition of the modifiedsugar occurs at specific positions on the peptide backbone as defined bythe substrate specificity of the glycosyltransferase and not in a randommanner as occurs during modification of a protein's peptide backboneusing chemical methods. An array of agents can be introduced intoproteins or glycopeptides that lack the glycosyltransferase substratepeptide sequence by engineering the appropriate amino acid sequence intothe peptide chain.

In each of the exemplary embodiments set forth above, one or moreadditional chemical or enzymatic modification steps can be utilizedfollowing the conjugation of the modified sugar to the peptide. In anexemplary embodiment, an enzyme (e.g., fucosyltransferase) is used toappend a glycosyl unit (e.g., fucose) onto the terminal modified sugarattached to the peptide. In another example, an enzymatic reaction isutilized to “cap” sites to which the modified sugar failed to conjugate.Alternatively, a chemical reaction is utilized to alter the structure ofthe conjugated modified sugar. For example, the conjugated modifiedsugar is reacted with agents that stabilize or destabilize its linkagewith the peptide component to which the modified sugar is attached. Inanother example, a component of the modified sugar is deprotectedfollowing its conjugation to the peptide. One of skill will appreciatethat there is an array of enzymatic and chemical procedures that areuseful in the methods of the invention at a stage after the modifiedsugar is conjugated to the peptide. Further elaboration of the modifiedsugar-peptide conjugate is within the scope of the invention.

Peptide Targeting with Mannose-6-Phosphate

In an exemplary embodiment the peptide is derivatized with at least onemannose-6-phosphate moiety. The mannose-6-phosphate moiety targets thepeptide to a lysosome of a cell, and is useful, for example, to targettherapeutic proteins to lysosomes for therapy of lysosomal storagediseases.

Lysosomal storage diseases are a group of over 40 disorders which arethe result of defects in genes encoding enzymes that break downglycolipid or polysaccharide waste products within the lysosomes ofcells. The enzymatic products, e.g., sugars and lipids, are thenrecycled into new products. Each of these disorders results from aninherited autosomal or X-linked recessive trait which affects the levelsof enzymes in the lysosome. Generally, there is no biological orfunctional activity of the affected enzymes in the cells and tissues ofaffected individuals. Table 4 provides a list of representative storagediseases and the enzymatic defect associated with the diseases. In suchdiseases the deficiency in enzyme function creates a progressivesystemic deposition of lipid or carbohydrate substrate in lysosomes incells in the body, eventually causing loss of organ function and death.The genetic etiology, clinical manifestations, molecular biology andpossibility of the lysosomal storage diseases are detailed in Scriver etal., eds., THE METABOLIC AND MOLECULAR BASIS OF INHERITED DISEASE,7.sup.th Ed., Vol. II, McGraw Hill, (1995).

TABLE 4 Lysosomal storage diseases and associated enzymatic defectsDisease Enzymatic Defect Pompe disease acid α-glucosidase (acid maltase)MPSI* (Hurler disease) α-L-iduronidase MPSII (Hunter disease) iduronatesulfatase MPSIII (Sanfilippo) heparan N-sulfatase MPS IV (Morquio A)galactose-6-sulfatase MPS IV (Morquio B) acid β-galactosidase MPS VII(Sly disease) β-glucoronidase I-cell disease N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase Schindler disease α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase(α-galactosidase B) Wolman disease acid lipase Cholesterol ester storagedisease acid lipase Farber disease lysosomal acid ceramidaseNiemann-Pick disease acid sphingomyelinase Gaucher diseaseglucocerebrosidase Krabbe disease galactosylceramidase Fabry diseaseα-galactosidase A GM1 gangliosidosis acid β-galactosidaseGalactosialidosis β-galactosidase and neuraminidase Tay-Sach's diseasehexosaminidase A Sandhoff disease hexosaminidase A and B *MPS =mucopolysaccaridosis

De Duve first suggested that replacement of the missing lysosomal enzymewith exogenous biologically active enzyme might be a viable approach totreatment of lysosomal storage diseases (De Duve, Fed. Proc. 23: 1045(1964). Since that time, various studies have suggested that enzymereplacement therapy may be beneficial for treating various lysosomalstorage diseases. The best success has been shown with individuals withtype I Gaucher disease, who have been treated with exogenous enzyme(β-glucocerebrosidase), prepared from placenta (Ceredase™) or, morerecently, recombinantly (Cerezyme™). It has been suggested that enzymereplacement may also be beneficial for treating Fabry's disease, as wellas other lysosomal storage diseases. See, for example, Dawson et al.,Ped. Res. 7(8): 684-690 (1973) (in vitro) and Mapes et al., Science 169:987 (1970) (in vivo). Clinical trials of enzyme replacement therapy havebeen reported for Fabry patients using infusions of normal plasma (Mapeset al., Science 169: 987-989 (1970)), α-galactosidase A purified fromplacenta (brady et al., N. Eng. J. Med. 279: 1163 (1973)); orα-galactosidase A purified from spleen or plasma (Desnick et al., Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 76: 5326-5330 (1979)) and have demonstrated thebiochemical effectiveness of direct enzyme replacement for Fabrydisease. These studies indicate the potential for eliminating, orsignificantly reducing, the pathological glycolipid storage by repeatedenzyme replacement. For example, in one study (Desnick et al., supra),intravenous injection of purified enzyme resulted in a transientreduction in the plasma levels of the stored lipid substrate,globotriasylceramide.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for methods for providingsufficient quantities of biologically active lysosomal enzymes, such ashuman α-galactosidase A, to deficient cells. Recently, recombinantapproaches have attempted to address these needs, see, e.g., U.S. Pat.No. 5,658,567; 5,580,757; Bishop et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA.83: 4859-4863 (1986); Medin et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA. 93:7917-7922 (1996); Novo, F. J., Gene Therapy. 4: 488-492 (1997); Ohshimaet al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA. 94: 2540-2544 (1997); and Sugimotoet al., Human Gene Therapy 6: 905-915, (1995). Through themannose-6-phosphate mediated targeting of therapeutic peptides tolysosomes, the present invention provides compositions and methods fordelivering sufficient quantities of biologically active lysosomalpeptides to deficient cells.

Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides apeptide according to Table 6 that is derivatized withmannose-6-phosphate (FIG. 23 and FIG. 24). The peptide may berecombinantly or chemically prepared. Moreover, the peptide can be thefall, natural sequence, or it may be modified by, for example,truncation, extension, or it may include substitutions or deletions.Exemplary proteins that are remodeled using a method of the presentinvention include glucocerebrosidase, β-glucosidase, α-galactosidase A,acid-α-glucosidase (acid maltase). Representative modified peptides thatare in clinical use include, but are not limited to, Ceredase™,Cerezyme™, and Fabryzyme™. A glycosyl group on modified and clinicallyrelevant peptides may also be altered utilizing a method of theinvention. The mannose-6-phosphate is attached to the peptide via aglycosyl linking group. In an exemplary embodiment, the glycosyl linkinggroup is derived from sialic acid. Exemplary sialic acid-derivedglycosyl linking groups are set forth in Table 2, in which one or moreof the “R” moieties is mannose-6-phosphate or a spacer group having oneor more mannose-6-phosphate moieties attached thereto. The modifiedsialic acid moiety is preferably the terminal residue of anoligosaccharide bound to the surface of the peptide (FIG. 25)

In addition to the mannose-6-phosphate, the peptides of the inventionmay be further derivatized with a moiety such as a water-solublepolymer, a therapeutic moiety, or an additional targeting moiety.Methods for attaching these and other groups are set forth herein. In anexemplary embodiment, the group other than mannose-6-phosphate isattached to the peptide via a derivatized sialic acid derivativeaccording to Table 2, in which one or more of the “R” moieties is agroup other than mannose-6-phosphate.

In an exemplary embodiment, a sialic acid moiety modified with aCbz-protected glycine-based linker arm is prepared. The correspondingnucleotide sugar is prepared and the Cbz group is removed by catalytichydrogenation. The resulting nucleotide sugar has an available, reactiveamine that is contacted with an activated mannose-6-phosphatederivative, providing a mannose-6-phosphate derivatized nucleotide sugarthat is useful in practicing the methods of the invention.

As shown in the scheme below (scheme 15), an exemplary activatedmannose-6-phosphate derivative is formed by converting a2-bromo-benzyl-protected phosphotriester into the correspondingtriflate, in situ, and reacting the triflate with a linker having areactive oxygen-containing moiety, forming an ether linkage between thesugar and the linker. The benzyl protecting groups are removed bycatalytic hydrogenation, and the methyl ester of the linker ishydrolyzed, providing the corresponding carboxylic acid. The carboxylicacid is activated by any method known in the art. An exemplaryactivation procedure relies upon the conversion of the carboxylic acidto the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester.

In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in the scheme below (scheme16), a N-acetylated sialic acid is converted to an amine by manipulationof the pyruvyl moiety. Thus, the primary hydroxyl is converted to asulfonate ester and reacted with sodium azide. The azide iscatalytically reduced to the corresponding amine. The sugar issubsequently converted to its nucleotide analogue and coupled, throughthe amine group, to the linker arm-derivatized mannose-6-phosphateprepared as discussed above.

Peptides useful to treat lysosomal storage disease can be derivatizedwith other targeting moieties including, but not limited to, transferrin(to deliver the peptide across the blood-brain barrier, and toendosomes), carnitine (to deliver the peptide to muscle cells), andphosphonates, e.g, bisphosphonate (to target the peptide to bone andother calciferous tissues). The targeting moiety and therapeutic peptideare conjugated by any method discussed herein or otherwise known in theart.

In an exemplary embodiment, the targeting agent and the therapeuticpeptide are coupled via a linker moiety. In this embodiment, at leastone of the therapeutic peptide or the targeting agent is coupled to thelinker moiety via an intact glycosyl linking group according to a methodof the invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the linker moiety includesa poly(ether) such as poly(ethylene glycol). In another exemplaryembodiment, the linker moiety includes at least one bond that isdegraded in vivo, releasing the therapeutic peptide from the targetingagent, following delivery of the conjugate to the targeted tissue orregion of the body.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the in vivo distribution of thetherapeutic moiety is altered via altering a glycoform on thetherapeutic moiety without conjugating the therapeutic peptide to atargeting moiety. For example, the therapeutic peptide can be shuntedaway from uptake by the reticuloendothelial system by capping a terminalgalactose moiety of a glycosyl group with sialic acid (or a derivativethereof) (FIGS. 23 and 26). Sialylation to cover terminal Gal avoidsuptake of the peptide by hepatic asialoglycoprotein (ASGP) receptors,and may extend the half life of the peptide as compared with peptideshaving only complex glycan chains, in the absence of sialylation.

II. Peptide/Glycopeptides of the Invention

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a compositioncomprising multiple copies of a single peptide having an elementaltrimannosyl core as the primary glycan structure attached thereto. Inpreferred embodiments, the peptide may be a therapeutic molecule. Thenatural form of the peptide may comprise complex N-linked glycans or maybe a high mannose glycan. The peptide may be a mammalian peptide, and ispreferably a human peptide. In some embodiments the peptide is selectedfrom the group consisting of an immunoglobulin, erythropoietin,tissue-type activator peptide, and others (See FIG. 1).

Exemplary peptides whose glycans can be remodeled using the methods ofthe invention are set forth in FIG. 1.

TABLE 6 Most preferred peptides for glycan remodeling Granulocyte colonyInterleukin-2 (IL-2) stimulating factor (G-CSF) Factor VIII Interferon αhrDNase Interferon β Insulin Factor VII clotting factor Hepatitis Bsurface protein (HbsAg) Factor IX clotting factor Human Growth Hormone(HGH) Follicle Stimulating Hormone Urokinase (FSH) Erythropoietin (EPO)TNF receptor-IgG Fc fusion Granulocyte-macrophage colony (Enbrel ™)stimulating factor (GM-CSF) MAb-Her-2 (Herceptin ™) Interferon γ MAb-Fprotein of Respiratory α₁ protease inhibitor Syncytial Virus (Synagis ™)(α₁ antitrypsin) MAb-CD20 (Rituxan ™) Tissue-type plasminogen activator(TPA) MAb-TNFα (Remicade ™) Glucocerebrosidase (Cerezyme ™)MAb-Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (Reopro ™)

TABLE 5 Preferred peptides for glycan remodeling Hormones and GrowthFactors G-CSF GM-CSF TPO EPO EPO variants FSH HGH insulin alpha-TNFLeptin Enzymes and Inhibitors TPA TPA variants Urokinase Factors VII,VIII, IX, X DNase Glucocerebrosidase Hirudin α1 antitrypsin (α1 proteaseinhibitor) Antithrombin III Acid α-glucosidase (acid maltase) αgalactosidase A α-L-iduronidase Urokinase Cytokines and ChimericCytokines Interleukin-1 (IL-1), 1B, 2, 3, 4 Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha)IFN-alpha-2b IFN-beta IFN-gamma Chimeric diphtheria toxin-IL-2 Receptorsand Chimeric Receptors CD4 Tumor Necrosis Factor receptor (TNF-R)TNF-R:IgG Fc fusion Alpha-CD20 PSGL-1 Complement GlyCAM or its chimeraN-CAM or its chimera Monoclonal Antibodies (Immunoglobulins)MAb-anti-RSV MAb-anti-IL-2 receptor MAb-anti-CEA MAb-anti-glycoproteinIIb/IIIa MAb-anti-EGF MAb-anti-Her2 MAb-CD20 MAb-alpha-CD3 MAb-TNFαMAb-CD4 MAb-PSGL-1 Mab-anti F protein of Respiratory Syncytial VirusCells Red blood cells White blood cells (e.g., T cells, B cells,dendritic cells, macrophages, NK cells, neutrophils, monocytes and thelike) Stem cells Others Hepatits B surface antigen (HbsAg)

A more detailed list of peptides useful in the invention and theirsource is provided in FIG. 1.

Other exemplary peptides that are modified by the methods of theinvention include members of the immunoglobulin family (e.g.,antibodies, MHC molecules, T cell receptors, and the like),intercellular receptors (e.g., integrins, receptors for hormones orgrowth factors and the like) lectins, and cytokines (e.g.,interleukins). Additional examples include tissue-type plasminogenactivator (TPA), renin, clotting factors such as Factor VIII and FactorIX, bombesin, thrombin, hematopoietic growth factor, colony stimulatingfactors, viral antigens, complement peptides, α1-antitrypsin,erythropoietin, P-selectin glycopeptide ligand-1 (PSGL-1),granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, anti-thrombin III,interleukins, interferons, peptides A and C, fibrinogen, herceptin™,leptin, glycosidases, among many others. This list of peptides isexemplary and should not be considered to be exclusive. Rather, as isapparent from the disclosure provided herein, the methods of theinvention are applicable to any peptide in which a desired glycanstructure can be fashioned.

The methods of the invention are also useful for modifying chimericpeptides, including, but not limited to, chimeric peptides that includea moiety derived from an immunoglobulin, such as IgG.

Peptides modified by the methods of the invention can be synthetic orwild-type peptides or they can be mutated peptides, produced by methodsknown in the art, such as site-directed mutagenesis. Glycosylation ofpeptides is typically either N-linked or O-linked. An exemplaryN-linkage is the attachment of the modified sugar to the side chain ofan asparagine residue. The tripeptide sequences asparagine-X-serine andasparagine-X-threonine, where X is any amino acid except proline, arethe recognition sequences for enzymatic attachment of a carbohydratemoiety to the asparagine side chain. Thus, the presence of either ofthese tripeptide sequences in a peptide creates a potentialglycosylation site. As described elsewhere herein, O-linkedglycosylation refers to the attachment of one sugar (e.g.,N-acetylgalactosamine, galactose, mannose, GlcNAc, glucose, facose orxylose) to a hydroxy side chain of a hydroxyamino acid, preferablyserine or threonine, although 5-hydroxyproline or 5-hydroxylysine mayalso be used.

Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussed below.While several of these embodiments use peptides having names carried bytrademarks, and other specific peptides as the exemplary peptide, theseexamples are not confined to any specific peptide. The followingexemplary embodiments are contemplated to include all peptideequivalents and variants of any peptide. Such variants include, but arenot limited to, adding and deleting N-linked and O-linked glycosylationsites, and fusion proteins with added glycosylation sites. One of skillin the art will appreciate that the following embodiments and the basicmethods disclosed therein can be applied to many peptides with equalsuccess.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides methods formodifying Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF). FIGS. 27A to27G set forth some examples of how this is accomplished using themethodology disclosed herein. In FIG. 27B, a G-CSF peptide that isexpressed in a mammalian cell system is trimmed back using a sialidase.The residues thus exposed are modified by the addition of a sialicacid-poly(ethylene glycol) moiety (PEG moiety), using an appropriatedonor therefor and ST3Gal1. FIG. 27C sets forth an exemplary scheme formodifying a G-CSF peptide that is expressed in an insect cell. Thepeptide is modified by adding a galactose moiety using an appropriatedonor thereof and a galactosyltransferase. The galactose residues arefunctionalized with PEG via a sialic acid-PEG derivative, through theaction of ST3Gal1. In FIG. 27D, bacterially expressed G-CSF is contactedwith an N-acetylgalactosamine donor and N-acetylgalactosaminetransferase. The peptide is functionalized with PEG, using a PEGylatedsialic acid donor and a sialyltransferase. In FIG. 27E, mammalian cellexpressed G-CSF is contacted with a sialic acid donor that is modifiedwith levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialic acid donor.After addition to a glycosyl residue on the glycan on the peptide, theketone is derivatized with a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG.In FIG. 27F, bacterially expressed G-CSF is remodeled by contacting thepeptide with an endo-GalNAc enzyme under conditions where it functionsin a synthetic, rather than a hydrolytic manner, thereby adding aPEG-Gal-GalNAc molecule from an activated derivative thereof. FIG. 27Gprovides another route for remodeling bacterially expressed G-CSF. Thepolypeptide is derivatized with a PEGylated N-acetylgalactosamineresidue by contacting the polypeptide with an N-acetylgalactosaminetransferase and an appropriate donor of PEGylated N-acetylgalactosamine.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying Interferon α-14C (IFNα14C), as shown in FIGS. 28A to 28N. Thevarious forms of IFNα are disclosed elsewhere herein. In FIG. 28B,IFNα14C expressed in mammalian cells is first treated with sialidase totrim back the sialic acid units thereon, and then the molecule isPEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a PEGylated sialic acid donor. In FIG. 28C,N-acetylglucosamine is first added to IFNα14C which has been expressedin insect or fungal cells, where the reaction is conducted via theaction of GnT-I and/or II using an N-acetylglucosamine donor. Thepolypeptide is then PEGylated using a galactosyltransferase and a donorof PEG-galactose. In FIG. 28D, IFNα14C expressed in yeast is firsttreated with Endo-H to trim back the glycosyl units thereon. Themolecules is galactosylated using a galactosyltransferase and agalactose donor, and it is then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor ofPEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 28F, IFNα14C produced by mammalian cells ismodified to inched a PEG moiety using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialicacid. In FIG. 28G, IFNα14C expressed in insect of fungal cells first hasN-acetylglucosamine added using one or more of GnT I, II, IV, and V, andan N-acetylglucosamine donor. The protein is subsequently galactosylatedusing an appropriate donor and a galactosyltransferase. Then, IFNα14C isPEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 28H,yeast produced IFNα14C is first treated with mannosidases to trim backthe mannosyl groups. N-acetylglucosamine is then added using a donor ofN-acetylglucosamine and one or more of GnT I, I, IV, and V. IFNα14C isfurther galactosylated using an appropriate donor and agalactosyltransferase. Then, the polypeptide is PEGylated using ST3Gal3and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 28I, NSO cell expressed IFNα14Cis modified by capping appropriate terminal residues with a sialic aciddonor that is modified with levulinic acid, thereby adding a reactiveketone to the sialic acid donor. After addition to a glycosyl residue ofthe peptide, the ketone is derivatized with a moiety such as ahydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG. 28J, IFNα14C expressed by mammaliancells is PEGylated using a donor of PEG-sialic acid andα2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 28K, IFNα14C produced by mammalian cellsis first treated with sialidase to trim back the terminal sialic acidresidues, and then the molecule is PEGylated using trans-sialidase andPEGylated sialic acid-lactose complex. In FIG. 28L, IFNα14C expressed ina mammalian system is sialylated using a donor of sialic acid andα2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 28M, IFNα14C expressed in insect orfungal cells first has N-acetylglucosamine added using an appropriatedonor and GnT I and/or II. The molecule is then contacted with agalactosyltransferase and a galactose donor that is derivatized with areactive sialic acid via a linker, so that the polypeptide is attachedto the reactive sialic acid via the linker and the galactose residue.The polypeptide is then contacted with ST3Gal3 and transferrin, and thusbecomes connected with transferrin via the sialic acid residue. In FIG.28N, IFNα14C expressed in either insect or fungal cells is first treatedwith endoglycanase to trim back the glycosyl groups, and is thencontacted with a galactosyltransferase and a galactose donor that isderivatized with a reactive sialic acid via a linker, so that thepolypeptide is attached to the reactive sialic acid via the linker andthe galactose residue. The molecule is then contacted with ST3Gal3 andtransferrin, and thus becomes connected with transferrin via the sialicacid residue.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying Interferon α-2a or 2b (IFNα), as shown in FIGS. 28O to 28EE.In FIG. 28P, IFNα produced in mammalian cells is first treated withsialidase to trim back the glycosyl units, and is then PEGylated usingST3Gal3 and a PEGylated sialic acid donor. In FIG. 28Q, IFNα expressedin insect cells is first galactosylated using an appropriate donor and agalactosyltransferase, and is then PEGylated using ST3Gal1 and aPEGylated sialic acid donor. FIG. 28R offers another method forremodeling IFNα expressed in bacteria: PEGylated N-acetylgalactosamineis added to the protein using an appropriate donor andN-acetylgalactosamine transferase. In FIG. 28S, IFNα expressed inmammalian cells is modified by capping appropriate terminal residueswith a sialic acid donor that is modified with levulinic acid, adding areactive ketone to the sialic acid donor. After addition to a glycosylresidue of the peptide, the ketone is derivatized with a moiety such asa hydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG. 28T, IFNα expressed in bacteria isPEGylated using a modified enzyme Endo-N-acetylgalactosamidase, whichfunctions in a synthetic instead of a hydrolytic manner, and using aN-acetylgalactosamine donor derivatized with a PEG moiety. In FIG. 28U,N-acetylgalactosamine is first added IFNα using an appropriate donor andN-acetylgalactosamine transferase, and then is PEGylated using asialyltransferase and a PEGylated sialic acid donor. In FIG. 28V, IFNαexpressed in a mammalian system is first treated with sialidase to trimback the sialic acid residues, and is then PEGylated using a suitabledonor and ST3Gal1 and/or ST3Gal3. In FIG. 28W, IFNα expressed inmammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trim back the sialicacid residues. The polypeptide is then contacted with ST3Gal1 and tworeactive sialic acid residues that are connect via a linker, so that thepolypeptide is attached to one reactive sialic acid via the linker andthe second sialic acid residue. The polypeptide is subsequentlycontacted with ST3Gal3 and transferrin, and thus becomes connected withtransferrin via the sialic acid residue. In FIG. 28Y, IFNα expressed inmammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trim back the sialicacid residues, and is then PEGylated using ST3Gal1 and a donor ofPEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 28Z, IFNα produced by insect cells is PEGylatedusing a galactosyltransferase and a donor of PEGylated galactose. InFIG. 28AA, bacterially expressed IFNα first has N-acetylgalactosamineadded using a suitable donor and N-acetylgalactosamine transferase. Theprotein is then PEGylated using a sialyltransferase and a donor ofPEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 28CC, IFNα expressed in bacteria is modified inanother procedure: PEGylated N-acetylgalactosamine is added to theprotein by N-acetylgalactosamine transferase using a donor of PEGylatedN-acetylgalactosamine. In FIG. 28DD, IFNα expressed in bacteria isremodeled in yet another scheme. The polypeptide is first contacted withN-acetylgalactosamine transferase and a donor of N-acetylgalactosaminethat is derivatized with a reactive sialic acid via a linker, so thatIFNα is attached to the reactive sialic acid via the linker and theN-acetylgalactosamine. IFNα is then contacted with ST3Gal3 andasialo-transferrin so that it becomes connected with transferrin via thesialic acid residue. Then, IFNα is capped with sialic acid residuesusing ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. An additional method formodifying bacterially expressed IFNα is disclosed in FIG. 28EE, whereIFNα is first exposed to NHS—CO-linker-SA-CMP and is then connected to areactive sialic acid via the linker. It is subsequently conjugated withtransferrin using ST3Gal3 and transferrin.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying Interferon β (IFN-β), as shown in FIGS. 29A to 29S. In FIG.29B, IFN-β expressed in a mammalian system is first treated withsialidase to trim back the terminal sialic acid residues. The protein isthen PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEGylated sialic acid. FIG.29C is a scheme for modifying IFN-β produced by insect cells. First,N-acetylglucosamine is added to IFN-β using an appropriate donor andGnT-i and/or -IL The protein is then galactosylated using a galactosedonor and a galactosyltransferase. Finally, IFN-β is PEGylated usingST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 29D, IFN-β expressed inyeast is first treated with Endo-H to trim back its glycosyl chains, andis then galactosylated using a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase, and is then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donorof PEGylated sialic acid. In FIG. 29E, IFN-β produced by mammalian cellsis modified by PEGylation using ST3Gal3 and a donor of sialic acidalready derivatized with a PEG moiety. In FIG. 29F, IFN-β expressed ininsect cells first has N-acetylglucosamine added by one or more of GnTI, II, IV, and V using a N-acetylglucosamine donor, and then isgalactosylated using a galactose donor and a galactosyltransferase, andis then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG.29G, IFN-β expressed in yeast is first treated with mannosidases to trimback the mannosyl units, then has N-acetylglucosamine added using aN-acetylglucosamine donor and one or more of GnT I, II, IV, and V. Theprotein is further galactosylated using a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase, and then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a PEG-sialicacid donor. In FIG. 29H, mammalian cell expressed IFN-β is modified bycapping appropriate terminal residues with a sialic acid donor that ismodified with levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialicacid donor. After addition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, theketone is derivatized with a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG.In FIG. 29I, IFN-β expressed in a mammalian system is PEGylated using adonor of PEG-sialic acid and α2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 29J, IFN-βexpressed by mammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trimback its terminal sialic acid residues, and then PEGylated usingtrans-sialidase and a donor of PEGylated sialic acid. In FIG. 29K, IFN-βexpressed in mammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trimback terminal sialic acid residues, then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and adonor of PEG-sialic acid, and then sialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialicacid donor. In FIG. 29L, IFN-β expressed in mammalian cells is firsttreated with sialidase and galactosidase to trim back the glycosylchains, then galactosylated using a galactose donor and anα-galactosyltransferase, and then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 or asialyltransferase and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 29M, IFN-βexpressed in mammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trimback the glycosyl units. It is then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donorof PEG-sialic acid, and is then sialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialicacid donor. In FIG. 29N, IFN-β expressed in mammalian cells is modifiedby capping appropriate terminal residues with a sialic acid donor thatis modified with levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialicacid donor. After addition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, theketone is derivatized with a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG.In FIG. 29O, IFN-β expressed in mammalian cells is sialylated using asialic acid donor and α2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 29Q, IFN-βproduced by insect cells first has N-acetylglucosamine added using adonor of N-acetylglucosamine and one or more of GnT I, II, IV, and V,and is further PEGylated using a donor of PEG-galactose and agalactosyltransferase. In FIG. 29R, IFN-β expressed in yeast is firsttreated with endoglycanase to trim back the glycosyl groups, thengalactosylated using a galactose donor and a galactosyltransferase, andthen PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG.29S, IFN-β expressed in a mammalian system is first contacted withST3Gal3 and two reactive sialic acid residues connected via a linker, sothat the polypeptide is attached to one reactive sialic acid via thelinker and the second sialic acid residue. The polypeptide is thencontacted with ST3Gal3 and desialylated transferrin, and thus becomesconnected with transferrin via the sialic acid residue. Then, IFN-β isfurther sialylated using a sialic acid donor and ST3Gal3.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying Factor VII or VIIa, as shown in FIGS. 30 A to 30D. In FIG.30B, Factor VII or VIIa produced by a mammalian system is first treatedwith sialidase to trim back the terminal sialic acid residues, and thenPEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEGylated sialic acid. FIG. 30C,Factor VII or VIIa expressed by mammalian cells is first treated withsialidase to trim back the terminal sialic acid residues, and thenPEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEGylated sialic acid. Further,the polypeptide is sialylated with ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. FIG.30D offers another modification scheme for Factor VII or VIIa producedby mammalian cells: the polypeptide is first treated with sialidase andgalactosidase to trim back its sialic acid and galactose residues, thengalactosylated using a galactosyltransferase and a galactose donor, andthen PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEGylated sialic acid.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying Factor X, some examples of which are included in FIGS. 31A to31G. In FIG. 31B, Factor IX produced by mammalian cells is first treatedwith sialidase to trim back the terminal sialic acid residues, and isthen PEGylated with ST3Gal3 using a PEG-sialic acid donor. In FIG. 31C,Factor IX expressed by mammalian cells is first treated with sialidaseto trim back the terminal sialic acid residues, it is then PEGylatedusing ST3Gal3 and a PEG-sialic acid donor, and further sialylated usingST3Gal1 and a sialic acid donor. Another scheme for remodeling mammaliancell produced Factor IX can be found in FIG. 31D. The polypeptide isfirst treated with sialidase to trim back the terminal sialic acidresidues, then galactosylated using a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase, further sialylated using a sialic acid donor andST3Gal3, and then PEGylated using a donor of PEGylated sialic acid andST3Gal1. In FIG. 31E, Factor IX that is expressed in a mammalian systemis PEGylated through the process of sialylation catalyzed by ST3Gal3using a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 31F, Factor IX expressed inmammalian cells is modified by capping appropriate terminal residueswith a sialic acid donor that is modified with levulinic acid, adding areactive ketone to the sialic acid donor. After addition to a glycosylresidue of the peptide, the ketone is derivatized with a moiety such asa hydrazine- or amine-PEG. FIG. 31G provides an additional method ofmodifying Factor IX. The polypeptide, produced by mammalian cells, isPEGylated using a donor of PEG-sialic acid and α2,8-sialyltransferase.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodification of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). FIGS. 32A to 32Jpresent some examples. In FIG. 32B, FSH is expressed in a mammaliansystem and modified by treatment of sialidase to trim back terminalsialic acid residues, followed by PEGylation using ST3Gal3 and a donorof PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 32C, FSH expressed in mammalian cells isfirst treated with sialidase to trim back terminal sialic acid residues,then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid, and thensialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. FIG. 32D provides ascheme for modifying FSH expressed in a mammalian system. Thepolypeptide is treated with sialidase and galactosidase to trim back itssialic acid and galactose residues, then galactosylated using agalactose donor and a galactosyltransferase, and then PEGylated usingST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 32E, FSH expressed inmammalian cells is modified in the following procedure: FSH is firsttreated with sialidase to trim back the sialic acid residues, thenPEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid, and is thensialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. FIG. 32F offersanother example of modifying FSH produced by mammalian cells: Thepolypeptide is modified by capping appropriate terminal residues with asialic acid donor that is modified with levulinic acid, adding areactive ketone to the sialic acid donor. After addition to a glycosylresidue of the peptide, the ketone is derivatized with a moiety such asa hydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG. 32G, FSH expressed in a mammaliansystem is modified in another procedure: the polypeptide is remodeledwith addition of sialic acid using a sialic acid donor and anα2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 32H, FSH is expressed in insect cellsand modified in the following procedure: N-acetylglucosamine is firstadded to FSH using an appropriate N-acetylglucosamine donor and one ormore of GnT I, II, IV, and V; FSH is then PEGylated using a donor ofPEG-galactose and a galactosyltransferase. FIG. 32I depicts a scheme ofmodifying FSH produced by yeast. According to this scheme, FSH is firsttreated with endoglycanase to trim back the glycosyl groups,galactosylated using a galactose donor and a galactosyltransferase, andis then PEGylated with ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG.32J, FSH expressed by mammalian cells is first contacted with ST3Gal3and two reactive sialic acid residues via a linker, so that thepolypeptide is attached to a reactive sialic acid via the linker and asecond sialic acid residue. The polypeptide is then contacted withST3Gal1 and desialylated chronic gonadotrophin (CG) produced in CHO, andthus becomes connected with CG via the second sialic acid residue. Then,FSH is sialylated using a sialic acid donor and ST3Gal3 and/or ST3Gal1.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying erythropoietin (EPO), FIGS. 33A to 33J set forth some exampleswhich are relevant to the remodeling of both wild-type and mutant EPOpeptides. In FIG. 33B, EPO expressed in various mammalian systems isremodeled by contacting the expressed protein with a sialidase to removeterminal sialic acid residues. The resulting peptide is contacted with asialyltransferase and a CMP-sialic acid that is derivatized with a PEGmoiety. In FIG. 33C, EPO that is expressed in insect cells is remodeledwith N-acetylglucosamine, using GnT I and/or GnT II. Galactose is thenadded to the peptide, using galactosyltransferase. PEG group is added tothe remodeled peptide by contacting it with a sialyltransferase and aCMP-sialic acid that is derivatized with a PEG moiety. In FIG. 33D, EPOthat is expressed in a mammalian cell system is remodeled by removingterminal sialic acid moieties via the action of a sialidase. Galactoseis added to the newly exposed termini, using a galactosyltransferase anda galactose donor. The terminal galactose residues of the N-linkedglycosyl units are “capped” with sialic acid, using ST3Gal3 and a sialicacid donor. The terminal galactose residues are functionalized with asialic acid bearing a PEG moiety, using an appropriate sialic acid donorand ST3Gal1. In FIG. 33E, EPO that is expressed in a mammalian cellsystem is remodeled by functionalizing the N-linked glycosyl residueswith a PEG-derivatized sialic acid moiety. The peptide is contacted withST3Gal3 and an appropriately modified sialic acid donor. In FIG. 33F,EPO that is expressed in an insect cell system is remodeled by addingone or more terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues by contacting thepeptide with a N-acetylglucosamine donor and of one or more of GNTI,GnTII, and GnTV. The peptide is then PEGylated by contacting it with aPEGylated galactose donor and a galactosyltransferase. In FIG. 33G, EPOthat is expressed in an insect cell system is remodeled by the additionof terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues, using an appropriateN-acetylglucosamine donor and one or more of GnTI, GnTI, and GnTV. Agalactosidase that is made to operate in a synthetic, rather than ahydrolytic manner is utilized to add an activated PEGylated galactosedonor to the N-acetylglucosamine residues. In FIG. 33H, a mutant EPOexpressed in mammalian cells is remodeled by capping appropriateterminal residues with a sialic acid donor that is modified withlevulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialic acid donor. Afteraddition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, the ketone is derivatizedwith a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG. FIG. 33I sets forth anexemplary remodeling pathway for a mutant EPO that is expressed in amammalian cell system. PEG is added to the glycosyl residue using aPEG-modified sialic acid and an α2,8-sialyltransferase. FIG. 33I setsforth another exemplary remodeling pathway for a mutant EPO that isexpressed in a mammalian cell system. The sialic acid is added to theglycosyl residue with a sialic acid donor and an α2,8-sialyltransferase.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), asshown in FIGS. 34A to 34K. In FIG. 34B, GM-CSF expressed in mammaliancells is first treated with sialidase to trim back the sialic acidresidues, and then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialicacid. In FIG. 34C, GM-CSF expressed in mammalian cells is first treatedwith sialidase to trim back the sialic acid residues, then PEGylatedusing ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid, and then is furthersialylated using a sialic acid donor and ST3Gal1 and/or ST3Gal3. In FIG.34D, GM-CSF expressed in NSO cells is first treated with sialidase andα-galactosidase to trim back the glycosyl groups, then sialylated usinga sialic acid donor and ST3Gal3, and is then PEGylated using ST3Gal1 anda donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 34E, GM-CSF expressed in mammaliancells is first treated with sialidase to trim back sialic acid residues,then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid, and then isfurther sialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. In FIG. 34F,GM-CSF expressed in mammalian cells is modified by capping appropriateterminal residues with a sialic acid donor that is modified withlevulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialic acid donor. Afteraddition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, the ketone is derivatizedwith a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG. 34G, GM-CSFexpressed in mammalian cells is sialylated using a sialic acid donor andα2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 34I, GM-CSF expressed in insect cells ismodified by addition of N-acetylglucosamine using a suitable donor andone or more of GnT I, II, IV, and V, followed by addition of PEGylatedgalactose using a suitable donor and a galactosyltransferase. In FIG.34J, yeast expressed GM-CSF is first treated with endoglycanase and/ormannosidase to trim back the glycosyl units, and subsequently PEGylatedusing a galactosyltransferase and a donor of PEG-galactose. In FIG. 34K,GM-CSF expressed in mammalian cells is first treated with sialidase totrim back sialic acid residues, and is subsequently sialylated usingST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. The polypeptide is then contacted withST3Gal1 and two reactive sialic acid residues connected via a linker, sothat the polypeptide is attached to one reactive sialic acid via thelinker and second sialic acid residue. The polypeptide is furthercontacted with ST3Gal3 and transferrin, and thus becomes connected withtransferrin.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodification of Interferon gamma (IFNγ). FIGS. 35A to 35N contain someexamples. In FIG. 35B, IFNγ expressed in a variety of mammalian cells isfirst treated with sialidase to trim back terminal sialic acid residues,and is subsequently PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialicacid. In FIG. 35C, IFNγ expressed in a mammalian system is first treatedwith sialidase to trim back terminal sialic acid residues. Thepolypeptide is then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialicacid, and is further sialylated with ST3Gal3 and a donor of sialic acid.In FIG. 35D, mammalian cell expressed IFNγ is first treated withsialidase and α-galactosidase to trim back sialic acid and galactoseresidues. The polypeptide is then galactosylated using a galactose donorand a galactosyltransferase. Then, IFNγ is PEGylated using a donor ofPEG-sialic acid and ST3Gal3. In FIG. 35E, IFNγ that is expressed in amammalian system is first treated with sialidase to trim back terminalsialic acid residues. The polypeptide is then PEGylated using ST3Gal3and a donor of PEG-sialic acid, and is further sialylated with ST3Gal3and a sialic acid donor. FIG. 35F describes another method for modifyingIFNγ expressed in a mammalian system. The protein is modified by cappingappropriate terminal residues with a sialic acid donor that is modifiedwith levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialic acid donor.After addition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, the ketone isderivatized with a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG.35G, IFNγ expressed in mammalian cells is remodeled by addition ofsialic acid using a sialic acid donor and an α2,8-sialyltransferase. InFIG. 35I, IFNγ expressed in insect or fungal cells is modified byaddition of N-acetylglucosamine using an appropriate donor and one ormore of GnT I, II, IV, and V. The protein is further modified byaddition of PEG moieties using a donor of PEGylated galactose and agalactosyltransferase. FIG. 35J offers a method for modifying IFNγexpressed in yeast. The polypeptide is first treated with endoglycanaseto trim back the saccharide chains, and then galactosylated using agalactose donor and a galactosyltransferase. Then, IFNγ is PEGylatedusing a donor of PEGylated sialic acid and ST3Gal3. In FIG. 35K, IFNγproduced by mammalian cells is modified as follows: the polypeptide isfirst contacted with ST3Gal3 and a donor of sialic acid that isderivatized with a reactive galactose via a linker, so that thepolypeptide is attached to the reactive galactose via the linker andsialic acid residue. The polypeptide is then contacted with agalactosyltransferase and transferrin pre-treated with endoglycanase,and thus becomes connected with transferrin via the galactose residue.In the scheme illustrated by FIG. 35L, IFNγ, which is expressed in amammalian system, is modified via the action of ST3Gal3: PEGylatedsialic acid is transferred from a suitable donor to IFNγ. FIG. 35M is anexample of modifying IFNγ expressed in insect or fungal cells, wherePEGylation of the polypeptide is achieved by transferring PEGylatedN-acetylglucosamine from a donor to IFNγ using GnT I and/or II. In FIG.35N, IFNγ expressed in a mammalian system is remodeled with addition ofPEGylated sialic acid using a suitable donor and anα2,8-sialyltransferase.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying a₁ anti-trypsin (α1-protease inhibitor). Some such examplescan be found in FIGS. 36A to 36O. In FIG. 36B, α₁ anti-trypsin expressedin a variety of mammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trimback sialic acid residues. PEGylated sialic acid residues are then addedusing an appropriate donor, such as CMP-SA-PEG, and a sialyltransferase,such as ST3Gal3. FIG. 36C demonstrates another scheme of α₁ anti-trypsinmodification α₁ anti-trypsin expressed in a mammalian system is firsttreated with sialidase to trim back sialic acid residues. Sialic acidresidues derivatized with PEG are then added using an appropriate donorand a sialyltransferase, such as ST3Gal3. Subsequently, the molecule isfurther modified by the addition of sialic acid residues using a sialicacid donor and ST3Gal3. In FIG. 36D, mammalian cell expressed α₁anti-trypsin is first treated with sialidase and α-galactosidase to trimback terminal sialic acid and α-linkage galactose residues. Thepolypeptide is then galactosylated using galactosyltransferase and asuitable galactose donor. Further, sialic acid derivatized with PEG isadded by the action of ST3Gal3 using a PEGylated sialic acid donor. InFIG. 36E, α₁ anti-trypsin expressed in a mammalian system first has theterminal sialic acid residues trimmed back using sialidase. PEG is thenadded to N-linked glycosyl residues via the action of ST3Gal3, whichmediates the transfer of PEGylated sialic acid from a donor, such asCMP-SA-PEG, to α₁ anti-trypsin. More sialic acid residues aresubsequently attached using a sialic acid donor and ST3Gal3. FIG. 36Fillustrates another process through which α₁ anti-trypsin is remodeledα₁ anti-trypsin expressed in mammalian cells is modified by cappingappropriate terminal residues with a sialic acid donor that is modifiedwith levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialic acid donor.After addition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, the ketone isderivatized with a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG.36G, yet another method of α₁ anti-trypsin modification is disclosed α₁anti-trypsin obtained from a mammalian expression system is remodeledwith addition of sialic acid using a sialic acid donor and anα2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 36I, α₁ anti-trypsin is expressed ininsect or yeast cells, and remodeled by the addition of terminalN-acetylglucosamine residues by way of contacting the polypeptide withUDP-N-acetylglucosamine and one or more of GnT I, II, IV, or V. Then,the polypeptide is modified with PEG moieties using a donor of PEGylatedgalactose and a galactosyltransferase. In FIG. 36J, α₁ anti-trypsinexpressed in yeast cells is treated first with endoglycanase to trimback glycosyl chains. It is then galactosylated with agalactosyltransferase and a galactose donor. Then, the polypeptide isPEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 36K, α₁anti-trypsin is expressed in a mammalian system. The polypeptide isfirst contacted with ST3Gal3 and a donor of sialic acid that isderivatized with a reactive galactose via a linker, so that thepolypeptide is attached to the reactive galactose via the linker andsialic acid residue. The polypeptide is then contacted with agalactosyltransferase and transferrin pre-treated with endoglycanase,and thus becomes connected with transferrin via the galactose residue.In FIG. 36M, α₁ anti-trypsin expressed in yeast is first treated withendoglycanase to trim back its glycosyl groups. The protein is thenPEGylated using a galactosyltransferase and a donor of galactose with aPEG moiety. In FIG. 36N, α₁ anti-trypsin expressed in plant cells istreated with hexosaminidase, mannosidase, and xylosidase to trim backits glycosyl chains, and subsequently modified with N-acetylglucosaminederivatized with a PEG moiety, using N-acetylglucosamine transferase anda suitable donor. In FIG. 36O, a(anti-trypsin expressed in mammaliancells is modified by adding PEGylated sialic acid residues using ST3Gal3and a donor of sialic acid derivatized with PEG.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying glucocerebrosidase (β-glucosidase, Cerezyme™ or Ceredase™), asshown in FIGS. 37A to 37K In FIG. 37B, Cerezyme™ expressed in amammalian system is first treated with sialidase to trim back terminalsialic acid residues, and is then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor ofPEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 37C, Cerezyme™ expressed in mammalian cells isfirst treated with sialidase to trim back the sialic acid residues, thenhas mannose-6-phosphate group attached using ST3Gal3 and a reactivesialic acid derivatized with mannose-6-phosphate, and then is sialylatedusing ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. In FIG. 37D, NSO cell expressedCerezyme™ is first treated with sialidase and galactosidase to trim backthe glycosyl groups, and is then galactosylated using a galactose donorand an α-galactosyltransferase. Then, mannose-6-phosphate moiety isadded to the molecule using ST3Gal3 and a reactive sialic acidderivatized with mannose-6-phosphate. In FIG. 37E, Cerezyme™ expressedin mammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trim back thesialic acid residues, it is then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor ofPEG-sialic acid, and is then sialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic aciddonor. In FIG. 37F, Cerezyme™ expressed in mammalian cells is modifiedby capping appropriate terminal residues with a sialic acid donor thatis modified with levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialicacid donor. After addition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, theketone is derivatized with a moiety such as one or moremannose-6-phosphate groups. In FIG. 37G, Cerezyme™ expressed inmammalian cells is sialylated using a sialic acid donor andα2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 37I, Cerezyme™ expressed in insect cellsfirst has N-acetylglucosamine added using a suitable donor and one ormore of GnT I, II, IV, and V, and then is PEGylated using agalactosyltransferase and a donor of PEG-galactose. In FIG. 37J,Cerezyme™ expressed in yeast is first treated with endoglycanase to trimback the glycosyl groups, then galactosylated using a galactose donorand a galactosyltransferase, and then PEGylated-using ST3Gal3 and adonor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 37K, Cerezyme™ expressed in mammaliancells is first contacted with ST3Gal3 and two reactive sialic acidresidues connected via a linker, so that the polypeptide is attached toone reactive sialic acid via the linker and the second sialic acidresidue. The polypeptide is then contacted with ST3Gal3 and desialylatedtransferrin, and thus becomes connected with transferrin. Then, thepolypeptide is sialylated using a sialic acid donor and ST3Gal3.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator (TPA) and its mutant.Several specific modification schemes are presented in FIGS. 38A to 38W.FIG. 38B illustrates one modification procedure: after TPA is expressedby mammalian cells, it is treated with one or more of mannosidase(s) andsialidase to trim back mannosyl and/or sialic acid residues. TerminalN-acetylglucosamine is then added by contacting the polypeptide with asuitable donor of N-acetylglucosamine and one or more of GnT I, II, V,and V. TPA is further galactosylated using a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase. Then, PEG is attached to the molecule by way ofsialylation catalyzed by ST3Gal3 and using a donor of sialic acidderivatized with a PEG moiety. In FIG. 38C, TPA is expressed in insector fungal cells. The modification includes the steps of addition ofN-acetylglucosamine using an appropriate donor of N-acetylglucosamineand GnT I and/or II; galactosylation using a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase; and attachment of PEG by way of sialylation usingST3Gal3 and a donor of sialic acid derivatized with PEG. In FIG. 38D,TPA is expressed in yeast and subsequently treated with endoglycanase totrim back the saccharide chains. The polypeptide is further PEGylatedvia the action of a galactosyltransferase, which catalyzes the transferof a PEG-galactose from a donor to TPA. In FIG. 38E, TPA is expressed ininsect or yeast cells. The polypeptide is then treated with α- andβ-mannosidases to trim back terminal mannosyl residues. Further, PEGmoieties are attached to the molecule via transfer of PEG-galactose froma suitable donor to TPA, which is mediated by a galactosyltransferase.FIG. 38F provides a different method for modification of TPA obtainedfrom an insect or yeast system: the polypeptide is remodeled by additionof N-acetylglucosamine using a donor of N-acetylglucosamine and GnT Iand/or II, followed by PEGylation using a galactosyltransferase and adonor of PEGylated galactose. FIG. 38G offers another scheme forremodeling TPA expressed in insect or yeast cells. TerminalN-acetylglucosamine is added using a donor of N-acetylglucosamine andGnT I and/or II. A galactosidase that is modified to operate in asynthetic, rather than a hydrolytic manner, is utilized to add PEGylatedgalactose from a proper donor to the N-acetylglucosamine residues. InFIG. 38I, TPA expressed in a mammalian system is first treated withsialidase and galactosidase to trim back sialic acid and galactoseresidues. The polypeptide is further modified by capping appropriateterminal residues with a sialic acid donor that is modified withlevulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialic acid donor. Afteraddition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, the ketone is derivatizedwith a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG. 38J, TPA, whichis expressed in a mammalian system, is remodeled following this scheme:first, the polypeptide is treated with α- and β-mannosidases to trimback the terminal mannosyl residues; sialic acid residues are thenattached to terminal galactosyl residues using a sialic acid donor andST3Gal3; further, TPA is PEGylated via the transfer of PEGylatedgalactose from a donor to a N-acetylglucosaminyl residue catalyzed by agalactosyltransferase. In FIG. 38K, TPA is expressed in a plant system.The modification procedure in this example is as follows: TPA firsttreated with hexosaminidase, mannosidase, and xylosidase to trim backits glycosyl groups; PEGylated N-acetylglucosamine is then added to TPAusing a proper donor and N-acetylglucosamine transferase. In FIG. 38M, aTPA mutant (TNK TPA), expressed in mammalian cells, is remodeled.Terminal sialic acid residues are first trimmed back using sialidase;ST3Gal3 is then used to transfer PEGylated sialic acid from a donor toTNK TPA, such that the polypeptide is PEGylated. In FIG. 38N, TNK TPAexpressed in a mammalian system is first treated with sialidase to trimback terminal sialic acid residues. The protein is then PEGylated usingCMP-SA-PEG as a donor and ST3Gal3, and further sialylated using a sialicacid donor and ST3Gal3. In FIG. 38O, NSO cell expressed TNK TPA is firsttreated with sialidase and α-galactosidase to trim back terminal sialicacid and galactose residues. TNK TPA is then galactosylated using agalactose donor and a galactosyltransferase. The last step in thisremodeling scheme is transfer of sialic acid derivatized with PEG moietyfrom a donor to TNK TPA using sialyltransferase or ST3Gal3. In FIG. 38Q,TNK TPA is expressed in a mammalian system and is first treated withsialidase to trim back terminal sialic acid residues. The protein isthen PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEGylated sialic acid. Then,the protein is sialylated using a sialic acid donor and ST3Gal3. In FIG.38R, TNK TPA expressed in a mammalian system is modified by cappingappropriate terminal residues with a sialic acid donor that is modifiedwith levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialic acid donor.After addition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, the ketone isderivatized with a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG.38S, TNK TPA expressed in mammalian cells is modified via a differentmethod: the polypeptide is remodeled with addition of sialic acid usinga sialic acid donor and α2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 38U, TNK TPAexpressed in insect cells is remodeled by addition ofN-acetylglucosamine using an appropriate donor and one or more of GnT I,I, IV, and V. The protein is further modified by addition of PEGmoieties using a donor of PEGylated galactose and agalactosyltransferase. In FIG. 38V, TNK TPA is expressed in yeast. Thepolypeptide is first treated with endoglycanase to trim back itsglycosyl chains and then PEGylated using a galactose donor derivatizedwith PEG and a galactosyltransferase. In FIG. 38W, TNK TPA is producedin a mammalian system. The polypeptide is first contacted with ST3Gal3and a donor of sialic acid that is derivatized with a reactive galactosevia a linker, so that the polypeptide is attached to the reactivegalactose via the linker and sialic acid residue. The polypeptide isthen contacted with a galactosyltransferase and anti-TNF IG chimeraproduced in CHO, and thus becomes connected with the chimera via thegalactose residue.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying Interleukin-2 (IL-2). FIGS. 39A to 39G provide some examples.FIG. 39B provides a two-step modification scheme: IL-2 produced bymammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trim back itsterminal sialic acid residues, and is then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and adonor of PEGylated sialic acid. In FIG. 39C, insect cell expressed IL-2is modified first by galactosylation using a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase. Subsequently, IL-2 is PEGylated using ST3Gal3 anda donor of PEGylated sialic acid. In FIG. 39D, IL-2 expressed inbacteria is modified with N-acetylgalactosamine using a proper donor andN-acetylgalactosamine transferase, followed by a step of PEGylation witha PEG-sialic acid donor and a sialyltransferase. FIG. 39E offers anotherscheme of modifying IL-2 produced by a mammalian system. The polypeptideis modified by capping appropriate terminal residues with a sialic aciddonor that is modified with levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone tothe sialic acid donor. After addition to a glycosyl residue of thepeptide, the ketone is derivatized with a moiety such as a hydrazine- oramine-PEG. FIG. 39F illustrates an example of remodeling IL-2 expressedby E. coli. The polypeptide is PEGylated using a reactiveN-acetylgalactosamine complex derivatized with a PEG group and an enzymethat is modified so that it functions as a synthetic enzyme rather thana hydrolytic one. In FIG. 39G, IL-2 expressed by bacteria is modified byaddition of PEGylated N-acetylgalactosamine using a proper donor andN-acetylgalactosamine transferase.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying Factor VIII, as shown in FIGS. 40A to 40N. In FIG. 40B, FactorVIII expressed in mammalian cells is first treated with sialidase totrim back the sialic acid residues, and is then PEGylated using ST3Gal3and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 40C, Factor VIII expressed inmammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trim back the sialicacid residues, then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a proper donor, and isthen further sialylated using ST3Gal1 and a sialic acid donor.

In FIG. 40E, mammalian cell produced Factor VIII is modified by thesingle step of PEGylation, using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEGylated sialicacid. FIG. 40F offers another example of modification of Factor VIIIthat is expressed by mammalian cells. The protein is PEGylated usingST3Gal1 and a donor of PEGylated sialic acid. In FIG. 40G, mammaliancell expressed Factor VIII is remodeled following another scheme: it isPEGylated using α2,8-sialyltransferase and a donor of PEG-sialic acid.In FIG. 40I, Factor VIII produce by mammalian cells is modified bycapping appropriate terminal residues with a sialic acid donor that ismodified with levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialicacid donor. After addition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, theketone is derivatized with a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG.In FIG. 40J, Factor VIII expressed by mammalian cells is first treatedwith Endo-H to trim back glycosyl groups. It is then PEGylated using agalactosyltransferase and a donor of PEG-galactose. In FIG. 40K, FactorVIII expressed in a mammalian system is first sialylated using ST3Gal3and a sialic acid donor, then treated with Endo-H to trim back theglycosyl groups, and then PEGylated with a galactosyltransferase and adonor of PEG-galactose. In FIG. 40L, Factor VIII expressed in amammalian system is first treated with mannosidases to trim backterminal mannosyl residues, then has N-acetylglucosamine group addedusing a suitable donor and GnT I and/or II, and then is PEGylated usinga galactosyltransferase and a donor of PEG-galactose. In FIG. 40M,Factor VIII expressed in mammalian cells is first treated withmannosidases to trim back mannosyl units, then has N-acetylglucosaminegroup added using N-acetylglucosamine transferase and a suitable donor.It is further galactosylated using a galactosyltransferase and agalactose donor, and then sialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic aciddonor. In FIG. 40N, Factor VIII is produced by mammalian cells andmodified as follows: it is first treated with mannosidases to trim backthe terminal mannosyl groups. A PEGylated N-acetylglucosamine group isthen added using GnTI and a suitable donor of PEGylatedN-acetylglucosamine.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying urokinase, as shown in FIGS. 41A to 41M. In FIG. 41B,urokinase expressed in mammalian cells is first treated with sialidaseto trim back sialic acid residues, and is then PEGylated using ST3Gal3and a donor of PEGylated sialic acid. In FIG. 41C, urokinase expressedin mammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trim back sialicacid residues, then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEGylatedsialic acid, and then sialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor.In FIG. 41D, urokinase expressed in a mammalian system is first treatedwith sialidase and galactosidase to trim back glycosyl chains, thengalactosylated using a galactose donor and an α-galactosyltransferase,and then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 or sialyltransferase and a donor ofPEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 41E, urokinase expressed in mammalian cells isfirst treated with sialidase to trim back sialic acid residues, thenPEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid, and then furthersialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. In FIG. 41F, urokinaseexpressed in mammalian cells is modified by capping appropriate terminalresidues with a sialic acid donor that is modified with levulinic acid,adding a reactive ketone to the sialic acid donor. After addition to aglycosyl residue of the peptide, the ketone is derivatized with a moietysuch as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG. 41G, urokinase expressed inmammalian cells is sialylated using a sialic acid donor andα2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 41I, urokinase expressed in insect cellsis modified in the following steps: first, N-acetylglucosamine is addedto the polypeptide using a suitable donor of N-acetylglucosamine and oneor more of GnT I, II, IV, and V; then PEGylated galactose is added,using a galactosyltransferase and a donor of PEG-galactose. In FIG. 41J,urokinase expressed in yeast is first treated with endoglycanase to trimback glycosyl groups, then galactosylated using a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase, and then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor ofPEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 41K, urokinase expressed in mammalian cells isfirst contacted with ST3Gal3 and two reactive sialic acid residues thatare connected via a linker, so that the polypeptide is attached to onereactive sialic acid via the linker and second sialic acid residue. Thepolypeptide is then contacted with ST3Gal1 and desialylated urokinaseproduced in mammalian cells, and thus becomes connected with a secondmolecule of urokinase. Then, the whole molecule is further sialylatedusing a sialic donor and ST3Gal1 and/or ST3Gal3. In FIG. 41L, isolatedurokinase is first treated with sulfohydrolase to remove sulfate groups,and is then PEGylated using a sialyltransferase and a donor ofPEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 41M, isolated urokinase is first treated withsulfohydrolase and hexosaminidase to remove sulfate groups andhexosamine groups, and then PEGylated using a galactosyltransferase anda donor of PEG-galactose.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying DNase I, as shown in FIGS. 42A to 42K. In FIG. 42B, DNase I isexpressed in a mammalian system and modified in the following steps:first, the protein is treated with sialidase to trim back the sialicacid residues; then the protein is PEGylated with ST3Gal3 using a donorof PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 42C, DNase I expressed in mammalian cells isfirst treated with sialidase to trim back the sialic acid residues, thenPEGylated with ST3Gal3 using a PEG-sialic acid donor, and is thensialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. In FIG. 42D, DNase Iexpressed in a mammalian system is first exposed to sialidase andgalactosidase to trim back the glycosyl groups, then galactosylatedusing a galactose donor and an α-galactosyltransferase, and thenPEGylated using ST3Gal3 or sialyltransferase and a donor of PEG-sialicacid. In FIG. 42E, DNase I expressed in mammalian cells is first treatedwith sialidase to trim back the sialic acid residues, then PEGylatedusing ST3Gal3 and a PEG-sialic acid donor, and then sialylated withST3Gal3 using a sialic acid donor. In FIG. 42F, DNase I expressed inmammalian cells is modified by capping appropriate terminal residueswith a sialic acid donor that is modified with levulinic acid, adding areactive ketone to the sialic acid donor. After addition to a glycosylresidue of the peptide, the ketone is derivatized with a moiety such asa hydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG. 42G, DNase I expressed in mammaliancells is sialylated using a sialic acid donor andα2,8-sialyltransferase. In FIG. 42L DNase I expressed in insect cellsfirst has N-acetylglucosamine added using a suitable donor and one ormore of GnT I, II, IV, and V. The protein is then PEGylated using agalactosyltransferase and a donor of PEG-galactose. In FIG. 42J, DNase Iexpressed in yeast is first treated with endoglycanase to trim back theglycosyl units, then galactosylated using a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase, and then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor ofPEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 42K, DNase I expressed in mammalian cells isfirst contacted with ST3Gal3 and two reactive sialic acid residuesconnected via a linker, so that the polypeptide is attached to onereactive sialic acid via the linker and the second sialic acid residue.The polypeptide is then contacted with ST3Gal1 and desialylatedα-1-protease inhibitor, and thus becomes connected with the inhibitorvia the sialic acid residue. Then, the polypeptide is further sialylatedusing a suitable donor and ST3Gal1 and/or ST3Gal3.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying insulin that is mutated to contain N glycosylation site, asshown in FIGS. 43A to 43L. In FIG. 43B, insulin expressed in a mammaliansystem is first treated with sialidase to trim back the sialic acidresidues, and then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a PEG-sialic acid donor.In FIG. 43C, insulin expressed in insect cells is modified by additionof PEGylated N-acetylglucosamine using an appropriate donor and GnT Iand/or II. In FIG. 43D, insulin expressed in yeast is first treated withEndo-H to trim back the glycosyl groups, and then PEGylated using agalactosyltransferase and a donor of PEG-galactose. In FIG. 43F, insulinexpressed in mammalian cells is first treated with sialidase to trimback the sialic acid residues and then PEGylated using ST3Gal1 and adonor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 43G, insulin expressed in insect cellsis modified by means of addition of PEGylated galactose using a suitabledonor and a galactosyltransferase. In FIG. 43H, insulin expressed inbacteria first has N-acetylgalactosamine added using a proper donor andN-acetylgalactosamine transferase. The polypeptide is then PEGylatedusing a sialyltransferase and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 43J,insulin expressed in bacteria is modified through a different method:PEGylated N-acetylgalactosamine is added to the protein using a suitabledonor and N-acetylgalactosamine transferase. In FIG. 43K, insulinexpressed in bacteria is modified following another scheme: thepolypeptide is first contacted with N-acetylgalactosamine transferaseand a reactive N-acetylgalactosamine that is derivatized with a reactivesialic acid via a linker, so that the polypeptide is attached to thereactive sialic acid via the linker and N-acetylgalactosamine. Thepolypeptide is then contacted with ST3Gal3 and asialo-transferrin, andtherefore becomes connected with transferrin. Then, the polypeptide issialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. In FIG. 43L, insulinexpressed in bacteria is modified using yet another method: thepolypeptide is first exposed to NHS—CO-linker-SA-CMP and becomesconnected to the reactive sialic acid residue via the linker. Thepolypeptide is then conjugated to transferrin using ST3Gal3 andasialo-transferrin. Then, the polypeptide is further sialylated usingST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying Hepatitis B antigen (M antigen-preS2 and S), as shown in FIGS.44A to 44K. In FIG. 44B, M-antigen is expressed in a mammalian systemand modified by initial treatment of sialidase to trim back the sialicacid residues and subsequent conjugation with lipid A, using ST3Gal3 anda reactive sialic acid linked to lipid A via a linker. In FIG. 44C,M-antigen expressed in mammalian cells is first treated with sialidaseto trim back the terminal sialic acid residues, then conjugated withtetanus toxin via a linker using ST3Gal1 and a reactive sialic acidresidue linked to the toxin via the linker, and then sialylated usingST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. In FIG. 44D, M-antigen expressed in amammalian system is first treated with a galactosidase to trim backgalactosyl residues, and then sialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic aciddonor. The polypeptide then has sialic acid derivatized with KLH addedusing ST3Gal1 and a suitable donor. In FIG. 44E, yeast expressedM-antigen is first treated with a mannosidase to trim back the mannosylresidues, and then conjugated to a diphtheria toxin using GnT I and adonor of N-acetylglucosamine linked to the diphtheria toxin. In FIG.44F, mammalian cell expressed M-antigen is modified by cappingappropriate terminal residues with a sialic acid donor that is modifiedwith levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialic acid donor.After addition to a glycosyl residue of the peptide, the ketone isderivatized with a moiety such as a hydrazine- or amine-PEG. In FIG.44G, M-antigen obtained from a mammalian system is remodeled bysialylation using a sialic acid donor and poly α2,8-sialyltransferase.In FIG. 44I, M-antigen expressed in insect cells is conjugated to aNeisseria protein by using GnT II and a suitable donor ofN-acetylglucosamine linked to the Neisseria protein. In FIG. 44J, yeastexpressed M-antigen is first treated with endoglycanase to trim back itsglycosyl chains, and then conjugated to a Neisseria protein using agalactosyltransferase and a proper donor of galactose linked to theNeisseria protein. FIG. 44K is another example of modification ofM-antigen expressed in yeast. The polypeptide is first treated withmannosidases to trim back terminal mannosyl residues, and then hasN-acetylglucosamine added using GnT I and/or II. Subsequently, thepolypeptide is galactosylated using a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase, and then capped with sialic acid residues using asialyltransferase and a sialic acid donor.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying human growth hormone (N, V, and variants thereof), as shown inFIGS. 45A to 45K. In FIG. 45B, human growth hormone either mutated tocontain a N-linked site, or a naturally occurring isoform that has anN-linked side (i.e., the placental enzyme) produced by mammalian cellsis first treated with sialidase to trim back terminal sialic acidresidues and subsequently PEGylated with ST3Gal3 and using a donor ofPEGylated sialic acid. In FIG. 45C, human growth hormone expressed ininsect cells is modified by addition of PEGylated N-acetylglucosamineusing GnT I and/or II and a proper donor of PEGylatedN-acetylglucosamine. In FIG. 45D, human growth hormone is expressed inyeast, treated with Endo-H to trim back glycosyl groups, and furtherPEGylated with a galactosyltransferase using a donor of PEGylatedgalactose. In FIG. 45F, human growth hormone-mucin fusion proteinexpressed in a mammalian system is modified by initial treatment ofsialidase to trim back sialic acid residues and subsequent PEGylationusing a donor of PEG-sialic acid and ST3Gal1. In FIG. 45G, human growthhormone-mucin fusion protein expressed in insect cells is remodeled byPEGylation with a galactosyltransferase and using a donor of PEGylatedgalactose. In FIG. 45H, human growth hormone-mucin fusion protein isproduced in bacteria. N-acetylgalactosamine is first added to the fusionprotein by the action of N-acetylgalactosamine transferase using a donorof N-acetylgalactosamine, followed by PEGylation of the fusion proteinusing a donor of PEG-sialic acid and a sialyltransferase. FIG. 45Idescribes another scheme of modifying bacterially expressed human growthhormone-mucin fusion protein: the fusion protein is PEGylated throughthe action of N-acetylgalactosamine transferase using a donor ofPEGylated N-acetylgalactosamine. FIG. 45J provides a further remodelingscheme for human growth hormone-mucin fusion protein. The fusion proteinis first contacted with N-acetylgalactosamine transferase and a donor ofN-acetylgalactosamine that is derivatized with a reactive sialic acidvia a linker, so that the fusion protein is attached to the reactivesialic acid via the linker and N-acetylgalactosamine. The fusion proteinis then contacted with a sialyltransferase and asialo-transferrin, andthus becomes connected with transferrin via the sialic acid residue.Then, the fusion protein is capped with sialic acid residues usingST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor. In FIG. 45K, yet another scheme isgiven for modification of human growth hormone(N) produced in bacteria.The polypeptide is first contacted with NHS—CO-linker-SA-CMP and becomescoupled with the reactive sialic acid through the linker. Thepolypeptide is then contacted with ST3Gal3 and asialo-transferrin andbecomes linked to transferrin via the sialic acid residue. Then, thepolypeptide is sialylated using ST3Gal3 and a sialic acid donor.

In another exemplary embodiiment, the invention provides methods forremodeling TNF receptor IgG fusion protein (TNFR-IgG, or Enbrel™), asshown in FIGS. 46A to G. FIG. 46B illustrates a modification procedurein which TNFR-IgG, expressed in a mammalian system is first sialylatedwith a sialic acid donor and a sialyltransferase, ST3Gal1; the fusionprotein is then galactosylated with a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase; then, the fusion protein is PEGylated via theaction of ST3Gal3 and a donor of sialic acid derivatized with PEG. InFIG. 46C, TNFR-IgG expressed in mammalian cells is initially treatedwith sialidase to trim back sialic acid residues. PEG moieties aresubsequently attached to TNFR-IgG by way of transferring PEGylatedsialic acid from a donor to the fusion protein in a reaction catalyzedby ST3Gal1. In FIG. 46D, TNFR-IgG is expressed in a mammalian system andmodified by addition of PEG through the galactosylation process, whichis mediated by a galactosyltransferase using a PEG-galactose donor. InFIG. 46E, TNFR-IgG is expressed in a mammalian system. The first step inremodeling of the fusion protein is adding O-linked sialic acid residuesusing a sialic acid donor and a sialyltransferase, ST3Gal1.Subsequently, PEGylated galactose is added to the fusion protein using agalactosyltransferase and a suitable donor of galactose with PEG moiety.In FIG. 46F, TNFR-IgG expressed in mammalian cells is modified first bycapping appropriate terminal residues with a sialic acid donor that ismodified with levulinic acid, adding a reactive ketone to the sialicacid donor. After addition to a glycosyl residue of the fusion protein,the ketone is derivatized with a moiety such as a hydrazine- oramine-PEG. In FIG. 46G, TNFR-IgG expressed in mammalian cells isremodeled by 2,8-sialyltransferase, which catalyzes the reaction inwhich PEGylated sialic acid is transferred to the fusion protein from adonor of sialic acid with PEG moiety.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods forgenerating Herceptin™ conjugates, as shown in FIGS. 47A to 47D. In FIG.47B, Herceptin™ is expressed in a mammalian system and is firstgalactosylated using a galactose donor and a galactosyltransferase.Herceptin™ is then conjugated with a toxin via a sialic acid through theaction of ST3Gal3 using a reactive sialic acid-toxin complex. In FIG.47C, Herceptin™ produced in either mammalian cells or fungi isconjugated to a toxin through the process of galactosylation, using agalactosyltransferase and a reactive galactose-toxin complex. FIG. 47Dcontains another scheme of making Herceptin™ conjugates: Herceptin™produced in fungi is first treated with Endo-H to trim back glycosylgroups, then galactosylated using a galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase, and then conjugated with a radioisotope by way ofsialylation, by using ST3Gal3 and a reactive sialic acid-radioisotopecomplex.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formaking Synagis™ conjugates, as shown in FIGS. 48A to 48D. In FIG. 48B,Synagis™ expressed in mammalian cells is first galactosylated using agalactose donor and a galactosyltransferase, and then PEGylated usingST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 48C, Synagis™ expressedin mammalian or fungal cells is PEGylated using a galactosyltransferaseand a donor of PEG-galactose. In FIG. 48D, Synagis™ expressed in firsttreated with Endo-H to trim back the glycosyl groups, thengalactosylated using a galactose donor and a galactosyltransferase, andis then PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods forgenerating Remicade™ conjugates, as shown in FIGS. 49A to 49D. In FIG.49B, Remicade™ expressed in a mammalian system is first galactosylatedusing a galactose donor and a galactosyltransferase, and then PEGylatedusing ST3Gal3 and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 49C, Remicade™expressed in a mammalian system is modified by addition of PEGylatedgalactose using a suitable donor and a galactosyltransferase. In FIG.49D, Remicade™ expressed in fungi is first treated with Endo-H to trimback the glycosyl chains, then galactosylated using a galactose donorand a galactosyltransferase, and then conjugated to a radioisotope usingST3Gal3 and a reactive sialic acid derivatized with the radioisotope.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods formodifying Reopro, which is mutated to contain an N glycosylation site.FIGS. 50A to 50L contain such examples. In FIG. 50B, Reopro expressed ina mammalian system is first treated with sialidase to trim back thesialic acid residues, and the PEGylated using ST3Gal3 and a donor ofPEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 50C, Reopro expressed in insect cells ismodified by addition of PEGylated N-acetylglucosamine using anappropriate donor and GnT I and/or H. In FIG. 50D, Reopro expressed inyeast is first treated with Endo-H to trim back the glycosyl groups.Subsequently, the protein is PEGylated using a galactosyltransferase anda donor of PEG-galactose. In FIG. 50F, Reopro expressed in mammaliancells is first treated with sialidase to trim back the sialic acidresidues and then PEGylated with ST3Gal1 using a donor of PEGylatedsialic acid. In FIG. 50G, Reopro expressed in insect cells is modifiedby PEGylation using a galactosyltransferase and a donor ofPEG-galactose. In FIG. 50H, Reopro expressed in bacterial first hasN-acetylgalactosamine added using N-acetylgalactosamine transferase anda suitable donor. The protein is then PEGylated using asialyltransferase and a donor of PEG-sialic acid. In FIG. 50J, Reoproexpressed in bacteria is modified in a different scheme: it is PEGylatedvia the action of N-acetylgalactosamine transferase, using a donor ofPEGylated N-acetylgalactosamine. In FIG. 50K, bacterially expressedReopro is modified in yet another method: first, the polypeptide iscontacted with N-acetylgalactosamine transferase and a donor ofN-acetylgalactosamine that is derivatized with a reactive sialic acidvia a linker, so that the polypeptide is attached to the reactive sialicacid via the linker and N-acetylgalactosamine. The polypeptide is thencontacted with ST3Gal3 and asialo-transferrin and thus becomes connectedwith transferrin via the sialic acid residue. Then, the polypeptide iscapped with sialic acid residues using a proper donor and ST3Gal3. FIG.50L offers an additional scheme of modifying bacterially expressedReopro. The polypeptide is first exposed to NHS—CO-linker-SA-CMP andbecomes connected with the reactive sialic acid through the linker. Thepolypeptide is then contacted with ST3Gal3 and asialo-transferrin andthus becomes connected with transferrin via the sialic acid residue.Then, the polypeptide is capped with sialic acid residues using a properdonor and ST3Gal3.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides methods forproducing Rituxan™ conjugates. FIGS. 51A to 51G presents some examples.In FIG. 51B, Rituxan™ expressed in various mammalian systems is firstgalactosylated using a proper galactose donor and agalactosyltransferase. The peptide is then functionalized with a sialicacid derivatized with a toxin moiety, using a sialic acid donor andST3Gal3. In FIG. 51C, Rituxan™ expressed in mammalian cells or fungalcells is galactosylated using a galactosyltransferase and a galactosedonor, which provides the peptide galactose containing a drug moiety.FIG. 5ID provides another example of remodeling Rituxan™ expressed in afungal system. The polypeptide's glycosyl groups are first trimmed backusing Endo-H. Galactose is then added using a galactosyltransferase anda galactose donor. Subsequently, a radioisotope is conjugated to themolecule through a radioisotope-complexed sialic acid donor and asialyltransferase, ST3Gal3. In FIG. 51F, Rituxan™ is expressed in amammalian system and first galactosylated using a galactosyltransferaseand a proper galactose donor; sialic acid with a PEG moiety is thenattached to the molecule using ST3Gal3 and a PEGylated sialic aciddonor. As shown in FIG. 51G, Rituxan™ expressed in fungi, yeast, ormammalian cells can also be modified in the following process: first,the polypeptide is treated with α- and β-mannosidases to remove terminalmannosyl residues; GlcNAc is then attached to the molecule usingGnT-I,II and a GlcNAc donor, radioisotope is then attached by way ofgalactosylation using a galactosyltransferase and a donor of galactosethat is coupled to a chelating moiety capable of binding a radioisotope.

A. Creation or Elimination of N-linked Glycosylation Sites

The present invention contemplates the use of peptides in which the siteof the glycan chain(s) on the peptide have been altered from that of thenative peptide. Typically, N-linked glycan chains are linked to theprimary peptide structure at asparagine residues where the asparagineresidue is within an amino acid sequence that is recognized by amembrane-bound glycosyltransferase in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).Typically, the recognition site on the primary peptide structure is thesequence asparagine-X-serine/threonine where X can be any amino acidexcept proline and aspartic acid. While this recognition site istypical, the invention further encompasses peptides that have N-linkedglycan chains at other recognition sites where the N-linked chains areadded using natural or recombinant glycosyltransferases.

Since the recognition site for N-linked glycosylation of a peptide isknown, it is within the skill of persons in the art to create mutatedprimary peptide sequences wherein a native N-linked glycosylationrecognition site is removed, or alternatively or in addition, one ormore additional N-glycosylation recognition sites are created. Mostsimply, an asparagine residue can be removed from the primary sequenceof the peptide thereby removing the attachment site for a glycan, thusremoving one glycan from the mature peptide. For example, a nativerecognition site with the sequence of asparaine-serine-serine can begenetically engineered to have the sequence leucine-serine-serine, thuseliminating a N-linked glycosylation site at this position.

Further, an N-linked glycosylation site can be removed by altering theresidues in the recognition site so that even though the asparagineresidue is present, one or more of the additional recognition residuesare absent. For example, a native sequence of asparagine-serine-serinecan be mutated to asparagine-serine-lysine, thus eliminating anN-glycosylation site at that position. In the case of N-linkedglycosylation sites comprising residues other than the typicalrecognition sites described above, the skilled artisan can determine thesequence and residues required for recognition by the appropriateglycosyltransferase, and then mutate at least one residue so theappropriate glycosyltransferase no longer recognizes that site. In otherwords, it is well within the skill of the artisan to manipulate theprimary sequence of a peptide such that glycosylation sites are eithercreated or are removed, or both, thereby generating a peptide having analtered glycosylation pattern. The invention should therefore not beconstrued to be limited to any primary peptide sequence provided hereinas the sole sequence for glycan remodeling, but rather should beconstrued to include any and all peptide sequences suitable for glycanremodeling.

To create a mutant peptide, the nucleic acid sequence encoding theprimary sequence of the peptide is altered so that native codonsencoding native amino acid residues are mutated to generate a codonencoding another amino acid residue. Techniques for altering nucleicacid sequence are common in the art and are described for example in anywell-known molecular biology manual.

In addition, the nucleic acid encoding a primary peptide structure canbe synthesized in vitro, using standard techniques. For example, anucleic acid molecule can be synthesized in a “gene machine” usingprotocols such as the phosphoramidite method. If chemically-synthesizeddouble stranded DNA is required for an application such as the synthesisof a nucleic acid or a fragment thereof, then each complementary strandis synthesized separately. The production of short nucleic acids (60 to80 base pairs) is technically straightforward and can be accomplished bysynthesizing the complementary strands and then annealing them. For theproduction of longer nucleic acids (>300 base pairs), special strategiesmay be required, because the coupling efficiency of each cycle duringchemical DNA synthesis is seldom 100%. To overcome this problem,synthetic genes (double-stranded) are assembled in modular form fromsingle-stranded fragments that-are from 20 to 100 nucleotides in length.For reviews on polynucleotide synthesis, see, for example, Glick andPasternak (Molecular Biotechnology, Principles and Applications ofRecombinant DNA, 1994, ASM Press), Itakura et al. (1984, Annu. Rev.Biochem. 53:323), and Climie et al. (1990, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA87:633).

Additionally, changes in the nucleic acid sequence encoding the peptidecan be made by site-directed mutagenesis. As will be appreciated, thistechnique typically employs a phage vector which exists in both a singlestranded and double stranded form. Typical vectors useful insite-directed mutagenesis include vectors such as the M13 phage. Thesephage are readily available and their use is generally well known tothose skilled in the art. Double stranded plasmids are also routinelyemployed in site-directed mutagenesis which eliminates the step oftransferring the nucleic acid of interest from a plasmid to a phage.

In general, site-directed mutagenesis is performed by first obtaining asingle-stranded vector or melting the two strands of a double strandedvector which includes within its sequence a DNA sequence which encodesthe desired peptide. An oligonucleotide primer bearing the desiredmutated sequence is prepared generally synthetically. This primer isthen annealed with the single-stranded vector, and subjected to DNApolymerizing enzymes such as E. coli polymerase I Klenow fragment, inorder to complete the synthesis of the mutation-bearing strand. Thus, aheteroduplex is formed wherein one strand encodes the originalnon-mutated sequence and the second strand bears the desired mutation.This heteroduplex vector is then used to transform or transfectappropriate cells, such as E. coli cells, and clones are selected whichinclude recombinant vectors bearing the mutated sequence arrangement. Agenetic selection scheme was devised by Kunkel et al. (1987, Kunkel etal., Methods Enzymol. 154:367-382) to enrich for clones incorporatingthe mutagenic oligonucleotide. Alternatively, the use of PCR™ withcommercially available thermostable enzymes such as Taq polymerase maybe used to incorporate a mutagenic oligonucleotide primer into anamplified DNA fragment that can then be cloned into an appropriatecloning or expression vector. The PCR™-mediated mutagenesis proceduresof Tomic et al. (1990, Nucl. Acids Res., 12:1656) and Upender et al.(1995, Biotechniques, 18:29-31) provide two examples of such protocols.A PCR™ employing a thermostable ligase in addition to a thermostablepolymerase may also be used to incorporate a phosphorylated mutagenicoligonucleotide into an amplified DNA fragment that may then be clonedinto an appropriate cloning or expression vector. The mutagenesisprocedure described by Michael (1994, Biotechniques 16:410-412) providesan example of one such protocol.

Not all Asn-X-Ser/Thr sequences are N-glycosylated suggesting thecontext in which the motif is presented is important. In anotherapproach, libraries of mutant peptides having novel N-linked consensussites are created in order to identify novel N-linked sites that areglycosylated in vivo and are beneficial to the activity, stability orother characteristics of the peptide.

As noted previously, the consensus sequence for the addition of N-linkedglycan chains in glycoproteins is Asn-X-Ser/Thr where X can be any aminoacid. The nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid two positions tothe carboxyl terminal side of the Asn may be mutated to encode a Serand/or Thr residue using standard procedures known to those of ordinaryskill in the art. As stated above not all Asn-X-Ser/Thr sites aremodified by the addition of glycans. Therefore, each recombinant mutatedglycoprotein must be expressed in a fungal, yeast or animal or mammalianexpression system and analyzed for the addition of an N-linked glycanchain. The techniques for the characterization of glycosylation sitesare well known to one skilled in the art. Further, the biologicalfunction of the mutated recombinant glycoprotein can be determined usingassays standard for the particular protein being examined. Thus, itbecomes a simple matter to manipulate the primary sequence of a peptideand identify novel glycosylation sites contained therein, and furtherdetermine the effect of the novel site on the biological activity of thepeptide.

In an alternative embodiment, the nucleotide sequence encoding the aminoacid two positions to the amino terminal side of Ser/Thr residues may bemutated to encode an Asn using standard procedures known to those ofordinary skill in the art. The procedures to determine whether a novelglycosylation site has been created and the effect of this site on thebiological activity of the peptide are described above.

B. Creation or Elimination of O-linked Glycosylation Sites

The addition of an O-linked glycosylation site to a peptide isconveniently accomplished by altering the primary amino acid sequence ofthe peptide such that it contains one or more additional O-linkedglycosylation sites compared with the beginning primary amino acidsequence of the peptide. The addition of an O-linked glycosylation siteto the peptide may also be accomplished by incorporation of one or moreamino acid species into the peptide which comprises an —OH group,preferably serine or threonine residues, within the sequence of thepeptide, such that the OH group is accessible and available for O-linkedglycosylation. Similar to the discussion of alteration of N-linkedglycosylation sites in a peptide, the primary amino acid sequence of thepeptide is preferably altered at the nucleotide level. Specificnucleotides in the DNA sequence encoding the peptide may be altered suchthat a desired amino acid is encoded by the sequence. Mutation(s) in DNAare preferably made using methods known in the art, such as thetechniques of phosphoramidite method DNA synthesis and site-directedmutagenesis described above.

Alternatively, the nucleotide sequence encoding a putative site forO-linked glycan addition can be added to the DNA molecule in one orseveral copies to either 5′ or the 3′ end of the molecule. The alteredDNA sequence is then expressed in any one of a fungal, yeast, or animalor mammalian expression system and analyzed for the addition of thesequence to the peptide and whether or not this sequence is a functionalO-linked glycosylation site. Briefly, a synthetic peptide acceptorsequence is introduced at either the 5′ or 3′ end of the nucleotidemolecule. In principle, the addition of this type of sequence is lessdisruptive to the resulting glycoprotein when expressed in a suitableexpression system. The altered DNA is then expressed in CHO cells orother suitable expression system and the proteins expressed thereby areexamined for the presence of an O-linked glycosylation site. Inaddition, the presence or absence of glycan chains can be determined.

In yet another approach, advantageous sites for new O-linked sites maybe found in a peptide by creating libraries of the peptide containingvarious new O-linked sites. For example, the consensus amino acidsequence for N-acetylgalactosamine addition by anN-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase depends on the specific transferaseused. The amino acid sequence of a peptide may be scanned to identifycontiguous groups of amino acids that can be mutated to generatepotential sites for addition of O-linked glycan chains. These mutationscan be generated using standard procedures known to those of ordinaryskill in the art as described previously. In order to determine if anydiscovered glycosylation site is actually glycosylated, each recombinantmutated peptide is then expressed in a suitable expression system and issubsequently analyzed for the addition of the site and/or the presenceof an O-linked glycan chain.

C. Chemical Synthesis of Peptides

While the primary structure of peptides useful in the invention can begenerated most efficiently in a cell-based expression system, it iswithin the scope of the present invention that the peptides may begenerated synthetically. Chemical synthesis of peptides is well known inthe art and include, without limitation, stepwise solid phase synthesis,and fragment condensation either in solution or on solid phase. Aclassic stepwise solid phase synthesis of involves covalently linking anamino acid corresponding to the carboxy-terminal amino acid of thedesired peptide chain to a solid support and extending the peptide chaintoward the amino end by stepwise coupling of activated amino acidderivatives having activated carboxyl groups. After completion of theassembly of the fully protected solid phase bound peptide chain, thepeptide-solid phase covalent attachment is cleaved by suitable chemistryand the protecting groups are removed to yield the product peptide. See,R. Merrifield, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis: The Synthesis of aTetrapeptide, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 85:2149-2154 (1963). The longer thepeptide chain, the more challenging it is to obtain high-puritywell-defined products. Due to the production of complex mixtures, thestepwise solid phase synthesis approach has size limitations. Ingeneral, well-defined peptides of 100 contiguous amino acid residues ormore are not routinely prepared via stepwise solid phase synthesis.

The segment condensation method involves preparation of several peptidesegments by the solid phase stepwise method, followed by cleavage fromthe solid phase and purification of these maximally protected segments.The protected segments are condensed one-by-one to the first segment,which is bound to the solid phase.

The peptides useful in the present invention may be synthesized byexclusive solid phase synthesis, partial solid phase methods, fragmentcondensation or classical solution synthesis. These synthesis methodsare well-known to those of skill in the art (see, for example,Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85:2149 (1963), Stewart et al., “SolidPhase Peptide Synthesis” (2nd Edition), (Pierce Chemical Co. 1984),Bayer and Rapp, Chem. Pept. Prot. 3:3 (1986), Atherton et al., SolidPhase Peptide Synthesis: A Practical Approach (IRL Press 1989), Fieldsand Colowick, “Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis,” Methods in EnzymologyVolume 289 (Academic Press 1997), and Lloyd-Williams et al., ChemicalApproaches to the Synthesis of Peptides and Peptides (CRC Press, Inc.1997)). Variations in total chemical synthesis strategies, such as“native chemical ligation” and “expressed peptide ligation” are alsostandard (see, for example, Dawson et al., Science 266:776 (1994),Hackeng et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 94:7845 (1997), Dawson,Methods Enzymol. 287: 34 (1997), Muir et al, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA95:6705 (1998), and Severinov and Muir, J. Biol. Chem. 273:16205(1998)). Also useful are the solid phase peptide synthesis methodsdeveloped by Gryphon Sciences, South San Francisco, Calif. See, U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,326,468, 6,217,873, 6,174,530, and 6,001,364, all of whichare incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.

D. Post-translational Modifications

It will be appreciated to one of ordinary skill in the art that peptidesmay undergo post-translational modification besides the addition ofN-linked and/or O-linked glycans thereto. It is contemplated thatpeptides having post-translational modifications other thanglycosylation can be used as peptides in the invention, as long as thedesired biological activity or function of the peptide is maintained orimproved. Such post-translational modifications may be naturalmodifications usually carried out in vivo, or engineered modificationsof the peptide carried out in vitro. Contemplated known modificationsinclude, but are not limited to, acetylation, acylation,ADP-ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalentattachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide ornucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipidderivative, covalent attachment of phosphotidylinositol, cross-linking,cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation ofcovalent crosslinks, formation of cysteine, formation of pyroglutamate,formylation, gamma carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation,hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation,proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization,selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acidsto peptides such as arginylation, and ubiquitination. Enzymes that maybe used to carry out many of these modifications are well known in theart, and available commercially from companies such as BoehringerMannheim (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis,Mo.), among others.

Such modifications are well known to those of skill in the art and havebeen described in great detail in the scientific literature. Severalparticularly common modifications, glycosylation, lipid attachment,sulfation, gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid residues, hydroxylationand ADP-ribosylation, for instance, are described in most basic texts,such as Peptides—Structure and Molecular Properties, 2nd Ed., T. E.Creighton, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York (1993). Many detailedreviews are available on this subject, such as by Wold, F.,Post-translational Covalent Modification of Peptides, B. C. Johnson,Ed., Academic Press, New York 1-12 (1983); Seifter et al. (Meth.Enzymol. 182: 626-646 (1990)) and Rattan et al. (Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.663:48-62 (1992)).

Covalent modifications of a peptide may also be introduced into themolecule in vitro by reacting targeted amino-acid residues of thepeptide with an organic derivatizing agent that is capable of reactingwith selected side chains or terminal amino-acid residues. Most commonlyderivatized residues are cysteinyl, histidyl, lysinyl, arginyl, tyrosyl,glutaminyl, asparaginyl and amino terminal residues. Hydroxylation ofproline and lysine, phosphorylation of hydroxyl groups of seryl andthreonyl residues, methylation of the alpha-amino groups of lysine,histidine, and histidine side chains, acetylation of the N-terminalamine and amidation of the C-terminal carboxylic groups. Suchderivatized moieties may improve the solubility, absorption, biologicalhalf life and the like. The moieties may also eliminate or attenuate anyundesirable side effect of the peptide and the like.

In addition, derivatization with bifunctional agents is useful forcross-linking the peptide to water insoluble support matrices or toother macromolecular carriers. Commonly used cross-liking agents includeglutaraldehyde, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, homobifunctionalimidoesters, 1,1-bis(-diazoloacetyl)-2-phenylethane, and bifunctionalmaleimides. Derivatizing agents such asmethyl-3-[9p-azidophenyl)]dithiopropioimidate yield photoactivatableintermediates that are capable of forming crosslinks in the presence oflight. Alternatively, reactive water-insoluble matrices such as cyanogenbromide activated carbohydrates and the reactive substrates described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 3,969,287 and 3,691,016 may be employed for peptideimmobilization.

E. Fusion Peptides/Peptides

Peptides useful in the present invention may comprise fusion peptides.Fusion peptides are particularly advantageous where biological and/orfunctional characteristics of two peptides are desired to be combined inone peptide molecule. Such fusion peptides can present combinations ofbiological activity and function that are not found in nature to createnovel and useful molecules of therapeutic and industrial applications.Biological activities of interest include, but are not limited to,enzymatic activity, receptor and/or ligand activity, immunogenic motifs,and structural domains.

Such fusion peptides are well known in the art, and the methods ofcreation will be well-known to those in the art. For example, a humanα-interferon-human fusion peptide has been made wherein the resultingpeptide has the therapeutic benefits of α-interferon combined with thelong circulating life of albumin, thereby creating a therapeuticcomposition that allows reduced dosing frequency and potentially reducedside effects in patients. See, Albuferon™ from Human Genome Sciences,Inc. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,883. Other fusion peptides include antibodymolecules that are described elsewhere herein.

F. Generation of Smaller “Biologically Active” Molecules

The peptides used in the invention may be variants of native peptides,wherein a fragment of the native peptide is used in place of the fulllength native peptide. In addition, pre-pro-, and pre-peptides arecontemplated. Variant peptides may be smaller in size that the nativepeptide, and may comprise one or more domains of a larger peptide.Selection of specific peptide domains can be advantageous when thebiological activity of certain domains in the peptide is desired, butthe biological activity of other domains in the peptide is not desired.Also included are truncations of the peptide and internal deletionswhich may enhance the desired therapeutic effect of the peptide. Anysuch forms of a peptide is contemplated to be useful in the presentinvention provided that the desired biological activity of the peptideis preserved.

Shorter versions of peptides may have unique advantages not found in thenative peptide. In the case of human albumin, it has been found that atruncated form comprising as little as 63% of the native albumin peptideis advantageous as a plasma volume expander. The truncated albuminpeptide is considered to be better than the native peptide for thistherapeutic purpose because an individual peptide dose of only one-halfto two-thirds that of natural-human serum albumin, or recombinant humanserum albumin is required for the equivalent colloid osmotic effect. SeeU.S. Pat. No. 5,380,712, the entirety of which is incorporated byreference herein.

Smaller “biologically active” peptides have also been found to haveenhanced therapeutic activity as compared to the native peptide. Thetherapeutic potential of IL-2 is limited by various side effectsdominated by the vascular leak syndrome. A shorter chemicallysynthesized version of the peptide consisting of residues 1-30corresponding to the entire α-helix was found to fold properly andcontain the natural IL-2 biological activity with out the attending sideeffects.

G. Generation of Novel Peptides

The peptide of the invention may be a derived from a primary sequence ofa native peptide, or may be engineered using any of the many means knownto those of skill in the art. Such engineered peptides can be designedand/or selected because of enhanced or novel properties as compared withthe native peptide. For example, peptides may be engineered to haveincreased enzyme reaction rates, increased or decreased binding affinityto a substrate or ligand, increased or decreased binding affinity to areceptor, altered specificity for a substrate, ligand, receptor or otherbinding partner, increased or decreased stability in vitro and/or invivo, or increased or decreased immunogenicity in an animal.

H. Mutations

1. Rational Design Mutation

The peptides useful in the methods of the invention may be mutated toenhance a desired biological activity or function, to diminish anundesirable property of the peptide, and/or to add novel activities orfunctions to the peptide. “Rational peptide design” may be used togenerate such altered peptides. Once the amino acid sequence andstructure of the peptide is known and a desired mutation planned, themutations can be made most conveniently to the corresponding nucleicacid codon which encodes the amino acid residue that is desired to bemutated. One of skill in the art can easily determine how the nucleicacid sequence should be altered based on the universal genetic code, andknowledge of codon preferences in the expression system of choice. Amutation in a codon may be made to change the amino acid residue thatwill be polymerized into the peptide during translation., Alternatively,a codon may be mutated so that the corresponding encoded amino acidresidue is the same, but the codon choice is better suited to thedesired peptide expression system. For example, cys-residues may bereplaced with other amino acids to remove disulfide bonds from themature peptide, catalytic domains may be mutated to alter biologicalactivity, and in general, isoforms of the peptide can be engineered.Such mutations can be point mutations, deletions, insertions andtruncations, among others.

Techniques to mutate specific amino acids in a peptide are well known inthe art. The technique of site-directed mutagenesis, discussed above, iswell suited for the directed mutation of codons. Theoligonucleotide-mediated mutagenesis method is also discussed in detailin Sambrook et al. (2001, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, ColdSpring Harbor Laboratory, New York, starting at page 15.51). Systematicdeletions, insertions and truncations can be made using linker insertionmutagenesis, digestion with nuclease Bal31, and linker-scanningmutagenesis, among other method well known to those in the art (Sambrooket al., 2001, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring HarborLaboratory, New York).

Rational peptide design has been successfully used to increase thestability of enzymes with respect to thermoinactivation and oxidation.For example, the stability of an enzyme was improved by removal ofasparagine residues in α-amylase (Declerck et al., 2000, J. Mol. Biol.301:1041-1057), the introduction of more rigid structural elements suchas proline into α-amylase (Igarashi et al., 1999, Biosci. Biotechnol.Biochem. 63:1535-1540) and D-xylose isomerase (Zhu et al., 1999, PeptideEng. 12:635-638). Further, the introduction of additional hydrophobiccontacts stabilized 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (Akanuma et al.,1999, Eur. J. Biochem. 260:499-504) and formate dehydrogenase obtainedfrom Pseudomonas sp. (Rojkova et al., 1999, FEBS Lett. 445:183-188). Themechanisms behind the stabilizing effect of these mutations is generallyapplicable to many peptides. These and similar mutations arecontemplated to be useful with respect to the peptides remodeled in themethods of the present invention.

2. Random Mutagenesis Techniques

Novel peptides useful in the methods of the invention may be generatedusing techniques that introduce random mutations in the coding sequenceof the nucleic acid. The nucleic acid is then expressed in a desiredexpression system, and the resulting peptide is assessed for propertiesof interest. Techniques to introduce random mutations into DNA sequencesare well known in the art, and include PCR mutagenesis, saturationmutagenesis, and degenerate oligonucleotide approaches. See Sambrook-andRussell (2001, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Approach, Cold SpringHarbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) and Ausubel et al. (2002,Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, NY).

In PCR mutagenesis, reduced Taq polymerase fidelity is used to introducerandom mutations into a cloned fragment of DNA (Leung et al., 1989,Technique 1: 11-15). This is a very powerful and relatively rapid methodof introducing random mutations into a DNA sequence. The DNA region tobe mutagenized is amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)under conditions that reduce the fidelity of DNA synthesis by Taq DNApolymerase, e.g., by using an altered dGTP/dATP ratio and by adding Mn²⁺to the PCR reaction. The pool of amplified DNA fragments are insertedinto appropriate cloning vectors to provide random mutant libraries.

Saturation mutagenesis allows for the rapid introduction of a largenumber of single base substitutions into cloned DNA fragments (Mayers etal., 1985, Science 229:242). This technique includes generation ofmutations, e.g., by chemical treatment or irradiation of single-strandedDNA in vitro, and synthesis of a complementary DNA strand. The mutationfrequency can be modulated by modulating the severity of the treatment,and essentially all possible base substitutions can be obtained. Becausethis procedure does not involve a genetic selection for mutantfragments, both neutral substitutions as well as those that alterfunction, are obtained. The distribution of point mutations is notbiased toward conserved sequence elements.

A library of nucleic acid homologs can also be generated from a set ofdegenerate oligonucleotide sequences. Chemical synthesis of a degenerateoligonucleotide sequences can be carried out in an automatic DNAsynthesizer, and the synthetic genes may then be ligated into anappropriate expression vector. The synthesis of degenerateoligonucleotides is known in the art (see for example, Narang, S A(1983) Tetrahedron 39:3; Itakura et al. (1981) Recombinant DNA, Proc 3rdCleveland Sympos. Macromolecules, ed. A G Walton, Amsterdam: Elsevierpp. 273-289; Itakura et al. (1984) Annu. Rev. Biochem. 53:323; Itakuraet al. (1984) Science 198:1056; Ike et al. (1983) Nucleic Acid Res.11:477. Such techniques have been employed in the directed evolution ofother peptides (see, for example, Scott et al. (1990) Science249:386-390; Roberts et al. (1992) PNAS 89:2429-2433; Devlin et al.(1990) Science 249: 404-406; Cwirla et al. (1990) PNAS 87: 6378-6382; aswell as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,223,409, 5,198,346, and 5,096,815).

a. Directed Evolution

Peptides useful in the methods of the invention may also be generatedusing “directed evolution” techniques. In contrast to site directedmutagenesis techniques where knowledge of the structure of the peptideis required, there now exist strategies to generate libraries ofmutations from which to obtain peptides with improved properties withoutknowledge of the structural features of the peptide. These strategiesare generally known as “directed evolution” technologies and aredifferent from traditional random mutagenesis procedures in that theyinvolve subjecting the nucleic acid sequence encoding the peptide ofinterest to recursive rounds of mutation, screening and amplification.

In some “directed evolution” techniques, the diversity in the nucleicacids obtained is generated by mutation methods that randomly createpoint mutations in the nucleic acid sequence. The point mutationtechniques include, but are not limited to, “error-prone PCR™” (Caldwelland Joyce, 1994; PCR Methods Appl. 2: 28-33; and Ke and Madison, 1997,Nucleic Acids Res. 25: 3371-3372), repeated oligonucleotide-directedmutagenesis (Reidhaar-Olson et al., 1991, Methods Enzymol. 208:564-586),and any of the aforementioned methods of random mutagenesis.

Another method of creating diversity upon which directed evolution canact is the use of mutator genes. The nucleic acid of interest iscultured in a mutator cell strain the genome of which typically encodesdefective DNA repair genes (U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,410; Selifonova et al.,2001, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67:3645-3649; Long-McGie et al., 2000,Biotech. Bioeng. 68:121-125; see, Genencor International Inc, Palo AltoCalif.).

Achieving diversity using directed evolution techniques may also beaccomplished using saturation mutagenesis along with degenerate primers(Gene Site Saturation Mutagenesis™, Diversa Corp., San Diego, Calif.).Ii this type of saturation mutagenesis, degenerate primers designed tocover the length of the nucleic acid sequence to be diversified are usedto prime the polymerase in PCR reactions. In this manner, each codon ofa coding sequence for an amino acid may be mutated to encode each of theremaining common nineteen amino acids. This technique may also be usedto introduce mutations, deletions and insertions to specific regions ofa nucleic acid coding sequence while leaving the rest of the nucleicacid molecule untouched. Procedures for the gene saturation techniqueare well known in the art, and can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,820.

b. DNA Shuffling

Novel peptides useful in the methods of the invention may also begenerated using the techniques of gene-shuffling, motif-shuffling,exon-shuffling, and/or codon-shuffling (collectively referred to as “DNAshuffling”). DNA shuffling techniques are may be employed to modulatethe activities of peptides useful in the invention and may be used togenerate peptides having altered activity. See, generally, U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,605,793; 5,811,238; 5,830,721; 5,834,252; and 5,837,458, andStemmer et al. (1994, Nature 370(6488):389-391); Crameri et al. (1998,Nature 391 (6664):288-291); Zhang et al. (1997, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.USA 94(9):4504-4509); Stemmer et al. (1994, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA91(22):10747-10751), Patten et al. (1997, Curr. Opinion Biotechnol.8:724-33); Harayama, (1998, Trends Biotechnol. 16(2):76-82); Hansson, etal., (1999, J. Mol. Biol. 287:265-76); and Lorenzo and Blasco (1998,Biotechniques 24(2):308-13) (each of these patents are herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety).

DNA shuffling involves the assembly of two or more DNA segments byhomologous or site-specific recombination to generate variation in thepolynucleotide sequence. DNA shuffling has been used to generate novelvariations of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proteins (Pekrun etal., 2002, J. Virol. 76(6):2924-35), triazine hydrolases (Raillard etal. 2001, Chem Biol 8(9):891-898), murine leukemia virus (MLV) proteins(Powell et al. 2000, Nat Biotechnol 18(12):1279-1282), andindoleglycerol phosphate synthase (Merz et al. 2000, Biochemistry39(5):880-889).

The technique of DNA shuffling was developed to generate biomoleculardiversity by mimicking natural recombination by allowing in vitrohomologous recombination of DNA (Stemmler, 1994, Nature 370: 389-391;and Stemmler, 1994, PNAS 91: 10747-10751). Generally, in this method apopulation of related genes is fragmented and subjected to recursivecycles of denaturation, rehybridization, followed by the extension ofthe 5′ overhangs by Taq polymerase. With each cycle, the length of thefragments increases, and DNA recombination occurs when fragmentsoriginating from different genes hybridize to each other. The initialfragmentation of the DNA is usually accomplished by nuclease digestion,typically using DNase (see Stemmler references, above), but may also beaccomplished by interrupted PCR synthesis (U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,408,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; see, Diversa Corp.,San Diego, Calif.). DNA shuffling methods have advantages over randompoint mutation methods in that direct recombination of beneficialmutations generated by each round of shuffling is achieved and there istherefore a self selection for improved phenotypes of peptides.

The techniques of DNA shuffling are well known to those in art. Detailedexplanations of such technology is found in Stemmler, 1994, Nature 370:389-391 and Stemmler, 1994, PNAS 91: 10747-10751. The DNA shufflingtechnique is also described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,180,406, 6,165,793,6,132,970, 6,117,679, 6,096,548, 5,837,458, 5,834,252, 5,830,721,5,811,238, and 5,605,793 (all of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety).

The art also provides even more recent modifications of the basictechnique of DNA shuffling. In one example, exon shuffling, exons orcombinations of exons that encode specific domains of peptides areamplified using chimeric oligonucleotides. The amplified molecules arethen recombined by self-priming PCR assembly (olkoian and Stemmler,2001, Nat. Biotech. 19:423-428). In another example, using the techniqueof random chimeragenesis on transient templates (RACHITT) libraryconstruction, single stranded parental DNA fragments are annealed onto afull-length single-stranded template (Coco et al., 2001, Nat.Biotechnol. 19:354-359). In yet another example, staggered extensionprocess (StEP), thermocycling with very abbreviated annealing/extensioncycles is employed to repeatedly interrupt DNA polymerization fromflanking primers (Zhao et al., 1998, Nat. Biotechnol. 16: 258-261). Inthe technique known as CLERY, in vitro family shuffling is combined within vivo homologous recombination in yeast (Abecassis et al., 2000,Nucleic Acids Res. 28:E88; ). To maximize intergenic recombination,single stranded DNA from complementary strands of each of the nucleicacids are digested with DNase and annealed (Kikuchi et al., 2000, Gene243:133-137). The blunt ends of two truncated nucleic acids of variablelengths that are linked by a cleavable sequence are then ligated togenerate gene fusion without homologous recombination (Sieber et al.,2001, Nat. Biotechnol. 19:456-460; Lutz et al., 2001, Nucleic Acids Res.29:E16; Ostermeier et al., 1999, Nat. Biotechnol. 17:1205-1209; Lutz andBenkovic, 2000, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 11:319-324). Recombinationbetween nucleic acids with little sequence homology in common has alsobeen enhanced using exonuclease-mediated blunt-ending of DNA fragmentsand ligating the fragments together to recombine them (U.S. Pat. No.6,361,974, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Theinvention contemplates the use of each and every variation describedabove as a means of enhancing the biological properties of any of thepeptides and/or enzymes useful in the methods of the invention.

In addition to published protocols detailing directed evolution and geneshuffling techniques, commercial services are now available that willundertake the gene shuffling and selection procedures on peptides ofchoice. Maxygen (Redwood City, Calif.) offers commercial services togenerate custom DNA shuffled libraries. In addition, this company willperform customized directed evolution procedures including geneshuffling and selection on a peptide family of choice.

Optigenix, Inc. (Newark, Del.) offers the related service of plasmidshuffling. Optigenix uses families of genes to obtain mutants thereinhaving new properties. The nucleic acid of interest is cloned into aplasmid in an Aspergillus expression system. The DNA of the relatedfamily is then introduced into the expression system and recombinationin conserved regions of the family occurs in the host. Resulting mutantDNAs are then expressed and the peptide produced therefrom are screenedfor the presence of desired properties and the absence of undesiredproperties.

c. Screening Procedures

Following each recursive round of “evolution,” the desired peptidesexpressed by mutated genes are screened for characteristics of interest.The “candidate” genes are then amplified and pooled for the next roundof DNA shuffling. The screening procedure used is highly dependant onthe peptide that is being “evolved” and the characteristic of interest.Characteristics such as peptide stability, biological activity,antigenicity, among others can be selected using procedures that arewell known in the art. Individual assays for the biological activity ofpreferred peptides useful in the methods of the invention are describedelsewhere herein.

d. Combinations of Techniques

It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that the above techniquesof mutation and selection can be combined with each other and withadditional procedures to generate the best possible peptide moleculeuseful in the methods of the invention. Thus, the invention is notlimited to any one method for the generation of peptides, and should beconstrued to encompass any and all of the methodology described herein.For example, a procedure for introducing point mutations into a nucleicacid sequence may be performed initially, followed by recursive roundsof DNA shuffling, selection and amplification. The initial introductionof point mutations may be used to introduce diversity into a genepopulation where it is lacking, and the following round of DNA shufflingand screening will select and recombine advantageous point mutations.

III. Glycosidases and Glycotransferases

A. Glycosidases

Glycosidases are glycosyltransferases that use water as an acceptormolecule, and as such, are typically glycoside-hydrolytic enzymes.Glycosidases can be used for the formation of glycosidic bonds in vitroby controlling the thermodynamics or kinetics of the reaction mixture.Even with modified reaction conditions, though, glycosidase reactionscan be difficult to work with, and glycosidases tend to give lowsynthetic yields as a result of the reversible transglycosylase reactionand the competing hydrolytic reaction.

A glycosidase can function by retaining the stereochemistry at the bondbeing broken during hydrolysis or by inverting the stereochemistry atthe bond being broken during hydrolysis, classifying the glycosidase aseither a “retaining” glycosidase or an “inverting” glycosidase,respectively. Retaining glycosidases have two critical carboxylic acidmoieties present in the active site, with one carboxylate acting as anacid/base catalyst and the other as a nucleophile, whereas with theinverting glycosidases, one carboxylic acid functions as an acid and theother functions as a base.

Methods to determine the activity and linkage specificity of anyglycosidase are well known in the art, including a simplified HPLCprotocol (Jacob and Scudder, 1994, Methods in Enzymol. 230: 280-300). Ageneral discussion of glycosidases and glycosidase treatment is found inGlycobiology, A Practical Approach, (1993, Fukuda and Kobata eds.,Oxford University Press Inc., New York).

Glycosidases useful in the invention include, but are not limited to,sialidase, galactosidase, endoglucanase, mannosidase (i.e., α and β,ManI, ManII and ManIII,) xylosidase, fucosidase, Agrobacterium sp.β-glucosidase, Cellulomonas fimi mannosidase 2A, Humicola insolensglycosidase, Sulfolobus solfataricus glycosidase and Bacilluslicheniformis glycosidase.

The choice of fucosidases for use in the invention depends on thelinkage of the fucose to other molecules. The specificities of manyα-fucosidases useful in the methods of the invention are well known tothose in the art, and many varieties of fucosidase are also commerciallyavailable (Glyko, Novato, Calif.; PROzyme, San Leandro, Calif.;Calbiochem-Novabiochem Corp., San Diego, Calif.; among others)α-Fucosidases of interest include, but are not limited to, α-fucosidasesfrom Turbo cornutus, Charonia lampas, Bacillus fulminans, Aspergillusniger, Clostridium perfringens, Bovine kidney (Glyko), chicken liver(Tyagarajan et al., 1996, Glycobiology 6:83-93) and α-fucosidase II fromXanthomonas manihotis (Glyko, PROzyme). Chicken liver fucosidase isparticularly useful for removal of core fucose from N-linked glycans.

B. Glycosyltransferases

Glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of activated sugars (donorNDP-sugars), in a step-wise fashion, to a protein, glycopeptide, lipidor glycolipid or to the non-reducing end of a growing oligosaccharide.N-linked glycopeptides are synthesized via a transferase and alipid-linked oligosaccharide donor Dol-PP-NAG₂Glc₃Man₉ in an en blocktransfer followed by trimming of the core. In this case the nature ofthe “core” saccharide is somewhat different from subsequent attachments.A very large number of glycosyltransferases are known in the art.

The glycosyltransferase to be used in the present invention may be anyas long as it can utilize the modified sugar as a sugar donor. Examplesof such enzymes include Leloir pathway glycosyltransferase, such asgalactosyltransferase, N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase,N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, fucosyltransferase,sialyltransferase, mannosyltransferase, xylosyltransferase,glucurononyltransferase and the like.

For enzymatic saccharide syntheses that involve glycosyltransferasereactions, glycosyltransferase can be cloned, or isolated from anysource. Many cloned glycosyltransferases are known, as are theirpolynucleotide sequences. See, e.g., Taniguchi et al., 2002, Handbook ofglycosyltransferases and related genes, Springer, Tokyo.

Glycosyltransferase amino acid sequences and nucleotide sequencesencoding glycosyltransferases from which the amino acid sequences can bededuced are also found in various publicly available databases,including GenBank, Swiss-Prot, EMBL, and others.

Glycosyltransferases that can be employed in the methods of theinvention include, but are not limited to, galactosyltransferases,facosyltransferases, glucosyltransferases,N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases, N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases,glucuronyltransferases, sialyltransferases, mannosyltransferases,glucuronic acid transferases, galacturonic acid transferases, andoligosaccharyltransferases. Suitable glycosyltransferases include thoseobtained from eukaryotes, as well as from prokaryotes.

DNA encoding glycosyltransferases may be obtained by chemical synthesis,by screening reverse transcripts of mRNA from appropriate cells or cellline cultures, by screening genomic libraries from appropriate cells, orby combinations of these procedures. Screening of mRNA or genomic DNAmay be carried out using oligonucleotide probes generated from theglycosyltransferases nucleic acid sequence. Probes may be labeled with adetectable label, such as, but not limited to, a fluorescent group, aradioactive atom or a chemiluminescent group in accordance with knownprocedures and used in conventional hybridization assays. In thealternative, glycosyltransferases nucleic acid sequences may be obtainedby use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure, with the PCRoligonucleotide primers being produced from the glycosyltransferasesnucleic acid sequence. See, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,195 to Mullis et al. andU.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202 to Mullis.

A glycosyltransferases enzyme may be synthesized in a host celltransformed with a vector containing DNA encoding theglycosyltransferases enzyme. A vector is a replicable DNA construct.Vectors are used either to amplify DNA encoding the glycosyltransferasesenzyme and/or to express DNA which encodes the glycosyltransferasesenzyme. An expression vector is a replicable DNA construct in which aDNA sequence encoding the glycosyltransferases enzyme is operably linkedto suitable control sequences capable of effecting the expression of theglycosyltransferases enzyme in a suitable host. The need for suchcontrol sequences will vary depending upon the host selected and thetransformation method chosen. Generally, control sequences include atranscriptional promoter, an optional operator sequence to controltranscription, a sequence encoding suitable mRNA ribosomal bindingsites, and sequences which control the termination of transcription andtranslation. Amplification vectors do not require expression controldomains. All that is needed is the ability to replicate in a host,usually conferred by an origin of replication, and a selection gene tofacilitate recognition of transformants.

I. Fucosyltransferases

In some embodiments, a glycosyltransferase used in the method of theinvention is a fucosyltransferase. Fucosyltransferases are known tothose of skill in the art. Exemplary fucosyltransferases includeenzymes, which transfer L-fucose from GDP-facose to a hydroxy positionof an acceptor sugar. Fucosyltransferases that transfer fromnon-nucleotide sugars to an acceptor are also of use in the presentinvention.

In some embodiments, the acceptor sugar is, for example, the GlcNAc in aGalβ(1→3,4)GlcNAcβ-group in an oligosaccharide glycoside. Suitablefucosyltransferases for this reaction include theGalβ(1→3,4)GlcNAcβ1-α(1→3,4)fucosyltransferase (FTIII E.C. No.2.4.1.65), which was first characterized from human milk (see, Palcic,et al., Carbohydrate Res. 190: 1-11 (1989); Prieels, et al., J. Biol.Chem. 256: 10456-10463 (1981); and Nunez, et al., Can. J. Chem. 59:2086-2095 (1981)) and the Galβ(1→4)GlcNAcβ-αfucosyltransferases (FTIV,FTV, FTVI) which are found in human serum. FTVII (E.C. No. 2.4.1.65), asialyl α(2→3)Galβ((1→3)GlcNAcβ fucosyltransferase, has also beencharacterized. A recombinant form of the Galβ(1→3,4)GlcNAcβ-α(1→3,4)fucosyltransferase has also been characterized (see,Dumas, et al., Bioorg. Med. Letters 1: 425-428 (1991) andKukowska-Latallo, et al., Genes and Development 4: 1288-1303 (1990)).Other exemplary fucosyltransferases include, for example, α1,2fucosyltransferase (E.C. No. 2.4.1.69). Enzymatic fucosylation can becarried out by the methods described in Mollicone, et al., Eur. J.Biochem. 191: 169-176 (1990) or U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,655.

2. Galactosyltransferases

In another group of embodiments, the glycosyltransferase is agalactosyltransferase. Exemplary galactosyltransferases include α(1,3)galactosyltransferases (E.C. No. 2.4.1.151, see, e.g., Dabkowski et al.,Transplant Proc. 25:2921 (1993) and Yamamoto et al. Nature 345: 229-233(1990), bovine (GenBank j04989, Joziasse et al., J. Biol. Chem. 264:14290-14297 (1989)), murine (GenBank m26925; Larsen et al., Proc. Nat'l.Acad. Sci. USA 86: 8227-8231 (1989)), porcine (GenBank L36152; Strahanet al., Immunogenetics 41: 101-105 (1995)). Another suitable α1,3galactosyltransferase is that which is involved in synthesis of theblood group B antigen (EC 2.4.1.37, Yamamoto et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:1146-1151 (1990) (human)).

Also suitable for use in the methods of the invention are β(1,4)galactosyltransferases, which include, for example, EC 2.4.1.90 (LacNAcsynthetase) and EC 2.4.1.22 (lactose synthetase) (bovine (D'Agostaro etal., Eur. J. Biochem. 183: 211-217 (1989)), human (Masri et al.,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 157: 657-663 (1988)), murine (Nakazawa etal., J. Biochem. 104: 165-168 (1988)), as well as E.C. 2.4.1.38 and theceramide galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.45, Stahl et al., J. Neurosci.Res. 38: 234-242 (1994)). Other suitable galactosyltransferases include,for example, α1,2 galactosyltransferases (from e.g., Schizosaccharomycespombe, Chapell et al., Mol. Biol. Cell 5: 519-528 (1994)). For furthersuitable galactosyltransferases, see Taniguchi et al. (2002, Handbook ofGlycosyltransferases and Related Genes, Springer, Tokyo), Guo et al.(2001, Glycobiology, 11(10):813-820), and Breton et al. (1998, J.Biochem. 123:1000-1009).

The production of proteins such as the enzyme GalNAc T_(I-XIV) fromcloned genes by genetic engineering is well known. See, e.g., U.S. PatNo. 4,761,371. One method involves collection of sufficient samples,then the amino acid sequence of the enzyme is determined by N-terminalsequencing. This information is then used to isolate a cDNA cloneencoding a full-length (membrane bound) transferase which uponexpression in the insect cell line Sf9 resulted in the synthesis of afully active enzyme. The acceptor specificity of the enzyme is thendetermined using a semiquantitative analysis of the amino acidssurrounding known glycosylation sites in 16 different proteins followedby in vitro glycosylation studies of synthetic peptides. This work hasdemonstrated that certain amino acid residues are overrepresented inglycosylated peptide segments and that residues in specific positionssurrounding glycosylated serine and threonine residues may have a moremarked influence on acceptor efficiency than other amino acid moieties.

3. Sialytransferases

Sialyltransferases are another type of glycosyltransferase that isuseful in the recombinant cells and reaction mixtures of the invention.Examples of sialyltransferases that are suitable for use in the presentinvention include ST3Gal III (e.g., a rat or human ST3Gal III), ST3GalIV, ST3Gal I, ST6Gal I, ST3Gal V, ST6Gal II, ST6GalNAc I, ST6GalNAc II,and ST6GalNAc III (the sialyltransferase nomenclature used herein is asdescribed in Tsuji et al., Glycobiology 6: v-xiv (1996)). An exemplaryα(2,3)sialyltransferase referred to as α(2,3)sialyltransferase (EC2.4.99.6) transfers sialic acid to the non-reducing terminal Gal of aGalβ1→3Glc disaccharide or glycoside. See, Van den Eijnden et al., J.Biol. Chem. 256: 3159 (1981), Weinstein et al., J. Biol. Chem. 257:13845 (1982) and Wen et al., J. Biol. Chem. 267: 21011 (1992). Anotherexemplary α2,3-sialyltransferase (EC 2.4.99.4) transfers sialic acid tothe non-reducing terminal Gal of the disaccharide or glycoside see,Rearick et al., J. Biol. Chem. 254: 4444 (1979) and Gillespie et al., J.Biol. Chem. 267: 21004 (1992). Further exemplary enzymes includeGal-β-1,4-GlcNAc α-2,6 sialyltransferase (See, Kurosawa et al. Eur. J.Biochem. 219: 375-381 (1994)).

Preferably, for glycosylation of carbohydrates of glycopeptides thesialyltransferase will be able to transfer sialic acid to the sequenceGalβ1,4GlcNAc-, Galβ1,3GlcNAc-, or Galβ1,3GalNAc-, the most commonpenultimate sequences underlying the terminal sialic acid on fullysialylated carbohydrate structures (see, Table 7).2,8-Sialyltransferases capable of transferring sialic acid toα2,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc are also useful in the methods of the invention.

TABLE 7 Sialyltransferases which use the Ga1β1,4G1cNAc sequence as anacceptor substrate Sialyl- Sequence(s) transferase Source formed Ref.ST6Ga1 I Mammalian NeuAcα2,6Ga1β1, 1 4GlcNAc- ST3Ga1 III MammalianNeuAcα2,3Ga1β1, 1 4G1cNAc- NeuAcα2,3Ga1β1, 3GlcNAc- ST3Gal IV MammalianNeuAcα2,3Ga1β1, 1 4G1cNAc- NeuAcα2,3Ga1β1, 3G1cNAc- ST6Ga1 II MammalianNeuAcα2,6Ga1β1, 4G1cNAc- ST6Ga1 II Photobacterium NeuAcα2,6Ga1β1, 24G1cNAc- ST3Ga1 V N. meningitides NeuAcα2,3Ga1β1, 3 4G1cNAc- N.gonorrhoeae 1) Goochee et al., Bio/Technology 9: 1347–1355 (1991) 2)Yamamoto et al., J. Biochem. 120: 104–110 (1996) 3) Gilbert et al., J.Biol. Chem. 271: 28271–28276 (1996)

An example of a sialyltransferase that is useful in the claimed methodsis ST3 Gal III, which is also referred to as α(2,3)sialyltransferase (EC2.4.99.6). This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of sialic acid to the Galof a Galβ1,3GlcNAc or Galβ1,4GlcNAc glycoside (see, e.g., Wen et al., J.Biol. Chem. 267: 21011 (1992); Van den Eijnden et al., J. Biol. Chem.256: 3159 (1991)) and is responsible for sialylation ofasparagine-linked oligosaccharides in glycopeptides. The sialic acid islinked to a Gal with the formation of an α-linkage between the twosaccharides. Bonding (linkage) between the saccharides is between the2-position of NeuAc and the 3-position of Gal. This particular enzymecan be isolated from rat liver (Weinstein et al., J. Biol. Chem. 257:13845 (1982)); the human cDNA (Sasaki et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268:22782-22787; Kitagawa & Paulson (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269: 1394-1401)and genomic (Kitagawa et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271: 931-938) DNAsequences are known, facilitating production of this enzyme byrecombinant expression. In a preferred embodiment, the claimedsialylation methods use a rat ST3Gal III.

Other exemplary sialyltransferases of use in the present inventioninclude those isolated from Camphylobacter jejuni, including the α(2,3).See, e.g, WO99/49051.

Other sialyltransferases, including those listed in Table 7, are alsouseful in an economic and efficient large-scale process for sialylationof commercially important glycopeptides. As a simple test to find outthe utility of these other enzymes, various amounts of each enzyme(1-100 mU/mg protein) are reacted with asialo-α₁ AGP (at 1-10 mg/ml) tocompare the ability of the sialyltransferase of interest to sialylateglycopeptides relative to either bovine ST6Gal I, ST3Gal III or bothsialyltransferases. Alternatively, other glycopeptides or glycopeptides,or N-linked oligosaccharides enzymatically released from the peptidebackbone can be used in place of asialo-α₁ AGP for this evaluation.Sialyltransferases with the ability to sialylate N-linkedoligosaccharides of glycopeptides more efficiently than ST6Gal I areuseful in a practical large-scale process for peptide sialylation (asillustrated for ST3Gal III in this disclosure).

4. Other Glycosyltransferases

One of skill in the art will understand that other glycosyltransferasescan be substituted into similar transferase cycles as have beendescribed in detail for the sialyltransferase. In particular, theglycosyltransferase can also be, for instance, glucosyltransferases,e.g., Alg8 (Stagljov et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91: 5977 (1994))or Alg5 (Heesen et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 224: 71 (1994)).

N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases are also of use in practicing thepresent invention. Suitable N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases include,but are not limited to, α(1,3) N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, β(1,4)N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (Nagata et al., J. Biol. Chem. 267:12082-12089 (1992) and Smith et al., J. Biol Chem. 269: 15162 (1994))and peptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (Homa et al., J. Biol.Chem. 268: 12609 (1993)). Suitable N-acetylglucosaminyltransferasesinclude GnTI (2.4.1.101, Hull et al., BBRC 176: 608 (1991)), GnTII,GnTIII (Ihara et al., J. Biochem. 113: 692 (1993)), GnTIV, GnTV(Shoreibah et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268: 15381 (1993)) and GnTVI, O-linkedN-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (Bierhuizen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA 89: 9326 (1992)), N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase(Rajput et al., Biochem J. 285: 985 (1992), and hyaluronan synthase.

Mannosyltransferases are of use to transfer modified mannose moieties.Suitable mannosyltransferases include α(1,2) mannosyltransferase, α(1,3)mannosyltransferase, α(1,6) mannosyltransferase, β(1,4)mannosyltransferase, Dol-P-Man synthase, OCh1, and Pmt1 (see, Komfeld etal., Annu. Rev. Biochem. 54: 631-664 (1985)).

Xylosyltransferases are also useful in the present invention. See, forexample, Rodgers, et al., Biochem. J., 288:817-822 (1992); and Elbain,et al., U.S. Pat. No., 6,168,937.

Other suitable glycosyltransferase cycles are described in Ichikawa etal., JACS 114: 9283 (1992), Wong et al., J. Org. Chem. 57: 4343 (1992),and Ichikawa et al. in CARBOHYDRATES AND CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS. Yaltami,ed. (ATL Press, 1993).

Prokaryotic glycosyltransferases are also useful in practicing theinvention. Such glycosyltransferases include enzymes involved insynthesis of lipooligosaccharides (LOS), which are produced by many gramnegative bacteria. The LOS typically have terminal glycan sequences thatmimic glycoconjugates found on the surface of human epithelial cells orin host secretions (Preston et al., Critical Reviews in Microbiology23(3): 139-180 (1996)). Such enzymes include, but are not limited to,the proteins of the rfa operons of species such as E. coli andSalmonella typhimurium, which include a β1,6 galactosyltransferase and aβ1,3 galactosyltransferase (see, e.g., EMBL Accession Nos. M80599 andM86935 (E. coli); EMBL Accession No. S56361 (S. typhimurium)), aglucosyltransferase (Swiss-Prot Accession No. P25740 (E. coli), anβ1,2-glucosyltransferase (rfaJ) (Swiss-Prot Accession No. P27129 (E.coli) and Swiss-Prot Accession No. P19817 (S. typhimurium)), and anβ1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (rfaK) (EMBL Accession No. U00039(E. coli). Other glycosyltransferases for which amino acid sequences areknown include those that are encoded by operons such as rfaB, which havebeen characterized in organisms such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli,Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enterica, Yersinia enterocolitica,Mycobacterium leprosum, and the rh1 operon of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Also suitable for use in the present invention are glycosyltransferasesthat are involved in producing structures containinglacto-N-neotetraose,D-galactosyl-β-1,4-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyl-β-1,3-D-galactosyl-β-1,4-D-glucose,and the P^(k) blood group trisaccharide sequence,D-galactosyl-α-1,4-D-galactosyl-β-1,4-D-glucose, which have beenidentified in the LOS of the mucosal pathogens Neisseria gonnorhoeae andN. meningitidis (Scholten et al., J. Med. Microbiol. 41: 236-243(1994)). The genes from N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae that encodethe glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of thesestructures have been identified from N. meningitidis immunotypes L3 andL1 (Jennings et al., Mol. Microbiol. 18: 729-740 (1995)) and the N.gonorrhoeae mutant F62 (Gotshlich, J. Exp. Med. 180: 2181-2190 (1994)).In N. meningitidis, a locus consisting of three genes, lgtA, lgtB and lgE, encodes the glycosyltransferase enzymes required for addition of thelast three of the sugars in the lacto-N-neotetraose chain (Wakarchuk etal., J. Biol. Chem. 271: 19166-73 (1996)). Recently the enzymaticactivity of the lgtB and lgtA gene product was demonstrated, providingthe first direct evidence for their proposed glycosyltransferasefunction (Wakarchuk et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271(45): 28271-276 (1996)).In N. gonorrhoeae, there are two additional genes, lgtD which addsβ-D-GalNAc to the 3 position of the terminal galactose of thelacto-N-neotetraose structure and lgtC which adds a terminal α-D-Gal tothe lactose element of a truncated LOS, thus creating the P^(k) bloodgroup antigen structure (Gotshlich (1994), supra.). In N. meningitidis,a separate immunotype L1 also expresses the P^(k) blood group antigenand has been shown to carry an lgtC gene (Jennings et al., (1995),supra.). Neisseria glycosyltransferases and associated genes are alsodescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,553 (Gotschlich). Genes forα1,2-fucosyltransferase and α1,3-fucosyltransferase from Helicobacterpylori has also been characterized (Martin et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272:21349-21356 (1997)). Also of use in the present invention are theglycosyltransferases of Campylobacter jejuni (see, Taniguchi et al.,2002, Handbook of glycosyltransferases and related genes, Springer,Tokyo).

B. Sulfotransferases

The invention also provides methods for producing peptides that includesulfated molecules, including, for example sulfated polysaccharides suchas heparin, heparan sulfate, carragenen, and related compounds. Suitablesulfotransferases include, for example, chondroitin-6-sulphotransferase(chicken cDNA described by Fukuta et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270:18575-18580 (1995); GenBank Accession No. D49915), glycosaminoglycanN-acetylglucosamine N-deacetylase/N-sulphotransferase 1 (Dixon et al.,Genomics 26: 239-241 (1995); UL18918), and glycosaminoglycanN-acetylglucosamine N-deacetylase/N-sulphotransferase 2 (murine cDNAdescribed in Orellana et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269: 2270-2276 (1994) andEriksson et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269: 10438-10443 (1994); human cDNAdescribed in GenBank Accession No. U2304).

C. Cell-bound Glycosyltransferases

In another embodiment, the enzymes utilized in the method of theinvention are cell-bound glycosyltransferases. Although many solubleglycosyltransferases are known (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No.5,032,519), glycosyltransferases are generally in membrane-bound formwhen associated with cells. Many of the membrane-bound enzymes studiedthus far are considered to be intrinsic proteins; that is, they are notreleased from the membranes by sonication and require detergents forsolubilization. Surface glycosyltransferases have been identified on thesurfaces of vertebrate and invertebrate cells, and it has also beenrecognized that these surface transferases maintain catalytic activityunder physiological conditions. However, the more recognized function ofcell surface glycosyltransferases is for intercellular recognition(Roth, 1990, Molecular Approaches to Supracellular Phenomena,).

Methods have been developed to alter the glycosyltransferases expressedby cells. For example, Larsen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:8227-8231 (1989), report a genetic approach to isolate cloned cDNAsequences that determine expression of cell surface oligosaccharidestructures and their cognate glycosyltransferases. A cDNA librarygenerated from mRNA isolated from a murine cell line known to expressUDP-galactose:.β.-D-galactosyl-1,4-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminideα-1,3-galactosyltransferase was transfected into COS-1 cells. Thetransfected cells were then cultured and assayed for α1-3galactosyltransferase activity.

Francisco et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 2713-2717 (1992),disclose a method of anchoring β-lactamase to the external surface ofEscherichia coli. A tripartite fusion consisting of (i) a signalsequence of an outer membrane protein, (ii) a membrane-spanning sectionof an outer membrane protein, and (iii) a complete mature β-lactamasesequence is produced resulting in an active surface bound β-lactamasemolecule. However, the Francisco method is limited only to prokaryoticcell systems and as recognized by the authors, requires the completetripartite fusion for proper functioning.

D. Fusion Enzymes

In other exemplary embodiments, the methods of the invention utilizefusion peptides that have more than one enzymatic activity that isinvolved in synthesis of a desired glycopeptide conjugate. The fusionpeptides can be composed of, for example, a catalytically active domainof a glycosyltransferase that is joined to a catalytically active domainof an accessory enzyme. The accessory enzyme catalytic domain can, forexample, catalyze a step in the formation of a nucleotide sugar that isa donor for the glycosyltransferase, or catalyze a reaction involved ina glycosyltransferase cycle. For example, a polynucleotide that encodesa glycosyltransferase can be joined, in-frame, to a polynucleotide thatencodes an enzyme involved in nucleotide sugar synthesis. The resultingfusion peptide can then catalyze not only the synthesis of thenucleotide sugar, but also the transfer of the sugar moiety to theacceptor molecule. The fusion peptide can be two or more cycle enzymeslinked into one expressible nucleotide sequence. In other embodimentsthe fusion peptide includes the catalytically active domains of two ormore glycosyltransferases. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,668.The modified glycopeptides of the present invention can be readilydesigned and manufactured utilizing various suitable fusion peptides(see, for example, PCT Patent Application PCT/CA98/01180, which waspublished as WO 99/31224 on Jun. 24, 1999.)

E. Immobilized Enzymes

In addition to cell-bound enzymes, the present invention also providesfor the use of enzymes that are immobilized on a solid and/or solublesupport. In an exemplary embodiment, there is provided aglycosyltransferase that is conjugated to a PEG via an intact glycosyllinker according to the methods of the invention. The PEG-linker-enzymeconjugate is optionally attached to solid support. The use of solidsupported enzymes in the methods of the invention simplifies the work upof the reaction mixture and purification of the reaction product, andalso enables the facile recovery of the enzyme. The glycosyltransferaseconjugate is utilized in the methods of the invention. Othercombinations of enzymes and supports will be apparent to those of skillin the art.

F. Mutagenesis of Glycosyltransferases

The novel forms of the glycosyltransferases, sialyltransferases,sulfotransferases, and any other enzymes used in the method of theinvention can be created using any of the methods described previously,as well as others well known to those in the art. Of particular interestare transferases with altered acceptor specificity and/or donorspecificity. Also of interest are enzymes with higher conversion ratesand higher stability among others.

The techniques of rational design mutagenesis can be used when thesequence of the peptide is known. Since the sequences as well as many ofthe tertiary structures of the transferases and glucosidases used in theinvention are known, these enzymes are ideal for rational design ofmutants. For example, the catalytic site of the enzyme can be mutated toalter the donor and/or acceptor specificity of the enzyme.

The extensive tertiary structural data on the glycosyltransferases andglycosidase hydrolases also make these enzyme idea for mutationsinvolving domain exchanges. Glycosyltransferases and glycosidasehydrolases are modular enzymes (see, Bourne and Henrissat, 2001, CurrentOpinion in Structural Biology 11:593-600). Glycosyltransferases aredivided into two families bases on their structure: GT-A and GT-B. Theglycosyltransferases of the GT-A family comprise two dissimilar domains,one involved in nucleotide binding and the other in acceptor binding.Thus, one could conveniently fuse the DNA sequence encoding the domainfrom one gene in frame with a domain from a second gene to create a newgene that encodes a protein with a new acceptor/donor specificity. Suchexchanges of domains could additionally include the carbohydrate modulesand other accessory domains.

The techniques of random mutation and/or directed evolution, asdescribed above, may also be used to create novel forms of theglycosyltransferases and glycosidases used in the invention.

IV. In vitro and in vivo Expression Systems

A. Cells for the Production of Glycopeptides

The action of glycosyltransferases is key to the glycosylation ofpeptides, thus, the difference in the expression of a set ofglycosyltransferases in any given cell type affects the pattern ofglycosylation on any given peptide produced in that cell. For a reviewof host cell dependent glycosylation of peptides, see Kabata andTakasaki, “Structure and Biosynthesis of Cell Surface Carbohydrates,” inCell Surface Carbohydrates and Cell Development, 1991, pp. 1-24, Eds.Minoru Fukuda, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.

According to the present disclosure, the type of cell in which thepeptide is produced is relevant only with respect to the degree ofremodeling required to generate a peptide having desired glycosylation.For example, the number and sequence of enzymatic digestion reactionsand the number and sequence of enzymatic synthetic reactions that arerequired in vitro to generate a peptide having desired glycosylationwill vary depending on the structure of the glycan on the peptideproduced by a particular cell type. While the invention should in no waybe construed to be limited to the production of peptides from any oneparticular cell type including any cell type disclosed herein, adiscussion of several cell systems is now presented which establishesthe power of the present invention and its independence of the cell typein which the peptides are generated.

In general, and to express a peptide from a nucleic acid encoding it,the nucleic acid must be incorporated into an expression cassette,comprising a promoter element, a terminator element, and the codingsequence of the peptide operably linked between the two. The expressioncassette is then operably linked into a vector. Toward this end,adapters or linkers may be employed to join the nucleotide fragments orother manipulations may be involved to provide for convenientrestriction sites, removal of superfluous nucleotides, removal ofrestriction sites, or the like. For this purpose, in vitro mutagenesis,primer repair, restriction, annealing, resubstitutions, e.g.,transitions and transversions, may be involved. A shuttle vector has thegenetic elements necessary for replication in a cell. Some vectors maybe replicated only in prokaryotes, or may be replicated in bothprokaryotes and eukaryotes. Such a plasmid expression vector will bemaintained in one or more replication systems, preferably tworeplications systems, that allow for stable maintenance within a yeasthost cell for expression purposes, and within a prokaryotic host forcloning purposes. Many vectors with diverse characteristics are nowavailable commercially. Vectors are usually plasmids or phages, but mayalso be cosmids or mini-chromosomes. Conveniently, many commerciallyavailable vectors will have the promoter and terminator of theexpression cassette already present, and a multi-linker site where thecoding sequence for the peptide of interest can be inserted. The shuttlevector containing the expression cassette is then transformed in E. coliwhere it is replicated during cell division to generate a preparation ofvector that is sufficient to transform the host cells of the chosenexpression system. The above methodology is well know to those in theart, and protocols by which to accomplish can be found Sambrook et al.(2001, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring HarborLaboratory, New York).

The vector, once purified from the cells in which it is amplified, isthen transformed into the cells of the expression system. The protocolfor transformation depended on the kind of the cell and the nature ofthe vector. Transformants are grown in an appropriate nutrient medium,and, where appropriate, maintained under selective pressure to insureretention of endogenous DNA. Where expression is inducible, growth canbe permitted of the yeast host to yield a high density of cells, andthen expression is induced. The secreted, mature heterologous peptidecan be harvested by any conventional means, and purified bychromatography, electrophoresis, dialysis, solvent-solvent extraction,and the like.

The techniques of molecular cloning are well-known in the art. Further,techniques for the procedures of molecular cloning can be found inSambrook et al. (2001, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, ColdSpring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.); Glover etal., (1985, DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, Volumes I and II); Gaitet al., (1985, Oligonucleotide Synthesis); Hames and Higgins (1985,Nucleic Acid Hybridization); Hames and Higgins (1984, Transcription AndTranslation); Freshney et al., (1986, Animal Cell Culture); Perbal,(1986, Immobilized Cells And Enzymes, IRL Press); Perbal,(1984, APractical Guide To Molecular Cloning); Ausubel et al. (2002, CurrentProtocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.).

B. Fungi and Yeast

Peptides produced in yeast are glycosylated and the glycan structurespresent thereon are primarily high mannose structures. In the case ofN-glycans, the glycan structures produced in yeast may contain as manyas nine or more mannose residues which may or may not contain additionalsugars added thereto. An example of the type of glycan on peptidesproduced by yeast cells is shown in FIG. 5, left side. Irrespective ofthe number of mannose residues and the type and complexity of additionalsugars added thereto, N-glycans as components of peptides produced inyeast cells comprise a trimannosyl core structure as shown in FIG. 5.When the glycan structure on a peptide produced by a yeast cell is ahigh mannose structure, it is a simple matter for the ordinary skilledartisan to remove, in vitro using available mannosidase enzymes, all ofthe mannose residues from the molecule except for those that comprisethe trimannosyl core of the glycan, thereby generating a peptide havingan elemental trimannosyl core structure attached thereto. Now, using thetechniques available in the art and armed with the present disclosure,it is a simple matter to enzymatically add, in vitro, additional sugarmoieties to the elemental trimannosyl core structure to generate apeptide having a desired glycan structure attached thereto. Similarly,when the peptide produced by the yeast cell comprises a high mannosestructure in addition to other complex sugars attached thereto, it is asimple matter to enzymatically cleave off all of the additional sugars,including extra mannose residues, to arrive at the elemental trimannosylcore structure. Once the elemental trimannosyl core structure isproduced, generation of a peptide having desired glycosylation ispossible following the directions provided herein.

By “yeast” is intended ascosporogenous yeasts (Endomycetales),basidiosporogenous yeasts, and yeast belonging to the Fungi Imperfecti(Blastomycetes). The ascosporogenous yeasts are divided into twofamilies, Spermophthoraceae and Saccharomycetaceae. The later iscomprised of four subfamilies, Schizosacclaromycoideae (e.g., genusSchizosaccharomyces), Nadsonioideae, Lipomycoideae, andSaccharomycoideae (e.g., genera Pichia, Kluyveromyces, andSaccharomyces). The basidiosporogenous yeasts include the generaLeucosporidium, Rhodosporidium, Sporidiobolus, Filobasidium, andFilobasidiella. Yeast belonging to the Fungi Imperfecti are divided intotwo families, Sporobolomycetaceae (e.g., genera Sporobolomyces, Bullera)and Cryptococcaceae (e.g., genus Candida). Of particular interest to thepresent invention are species within the genera Saccharomyces, Pichia,Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Kluyveromyces, especially K. lactis and K.drosophilum, Candida, Hansenula, Schizpsaccaronzyces, Yarrowia, andChrysoporium. Since the classification of yeast may change in thefuture, for the purposes of this invention, yeast shall be defined asdescribed in Skinner et al., eds. 1980) Biology and Activities of Yeast(Soc. App. Bacteriol. Symp. Series No. 9).

In addition to the foregoing, those of ordinary skill in the art arepresumably familiar with the biology of yeast and the manipulation ofyeast genetics. See, for example, Bacila et al., eds. (1978,Biochemistry and Genetics of Yeast, Academic Press, New York); and Roseand Harrison. (1987, The Yeasts (2^(nd) ed.) Academic Press, London).Methods of introducing exogenous DNA into yeast hosts are well known inthe art. There are a wide variety of methods for transformation ofyeast. Spheroplast transformation is taught by Hinnen et al (1978, Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 75:1919-1933); Beggs, (1978, Nature275(5676):104-109); and Stinchcomb et al., (EPO Publication No. 45,573;herein incorporated by reference), Electroporation is taught by Beckerand Gaurante, (1991, Methods Enzymol. 194:182-187), Lithium acetate istaught by Gietz et al. (2002, Methods Enzymol. 350:87-96) and Mount etal. (1996, Methods Mol Biol. 53:139-145). For a review of transformationsystems of non-Saccharomyces yeasts, see Wang et al. (Crit RevBiotechnol. 2001;21(3):177-218). For general procedures on yeast geneticengineering, see Barr et al., (1989, Yeast genetic engineering,Butterworths, Boston).

In addition to wild-type yeast and fungal cells, there are also strainsof yeast and fungi that have been mutated and/or selected to enhance thelevel of expression of the exogenous gene, and the purity, thepost-translational processing of the resulting peptide, and the recoveryand purity of the mature peptide. Expression of an exogenous peptide mayalso be direct to the cell secretory pathway, as illustrated by theexpression of insulin (see (Kjeldsen, 2000, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol.54:277-286, and references cited therein). In general, to cause theexogenous peptide to be secreted from the yeast cell, secretion signalsderived from yeast genes may be used, such as those of the genes of thekiller toxin (Stark and Boyd, 1986, EMBO J. 5:1995-2002) or of the alphapheromone Kujan and Herskowitz, 1982, Cell 30:933; Brake et al., 1988,Yeast 4:S436).

Regarding the filamentous fungi in general, methods for geneticmanipulation can be found in Kinghorn and Turner (1992, AppliedMolecular Genetics of Filamentous Fungi, Blackie Academic andProfessional, New York). Guidance on appropriate vectors can be found inMartinelli and Kinghom (1994, Aspergillus: 50 years, Elsevier,Amsterdam).

1. Saccharomyces

In Saccharomyces, suitable yeast vectors for use producing a peptideinclude YRp7 (Struhl et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76: 1035-1039,1978), YEp13 (Broach et al., Gene 8: 121-133, 1979), POT vectors(Kawasaki et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,373, which is incorporated byreference herein), pJDB249 and pJDB219 (Beggs, Nature 275:104-108, 1978)and derivatives thereof. Preferred promoters for use in yeast includepromoters for yeast glycolytic gene expression (Hitzeman et al., J.Biol. Chem. 255: 12073-12080, 1980; Alber and Kawasaki, J. Mol. Appl.Genet. 1: 419-434, 1982; Kawasaki, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,311) or alcoholdehydrogenase genes (Young et al., in Genetic Engineering ofMicroorganisms for Chemicals, Hollaender et al., (eds.), p. 355, Plenum,New York, 1982; Ammerer, Meth. Enzymol. 101: 192-201, 1983), and theADH2-4^(c) promoter (Russell et al., Nature 304: 652-654, 1983; Iraniand Kilgore, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/784,653, CA 1,304,020and EP 284 044, which are incorporated herein by reference). Theexpression units may also include a transcriptional terminator. Apreferred transcriptional terminator is the TPI1 terminator (Alber andKawasaki, ibid.).

Examples of such yeast-bacteria shuttle vectors include Yep24 (Botsteinet al. (1979) Gene 8:17-24; pC1 (Brake et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA 81:4642-4646), and Yrp17 (Stinchcomb et al. (1982) J. Mol.Biol. 158:157). Additionally, a plasmid expression vector may be a highor low copy number plasmid, the copy number generally ranging from about1 to about 200. In the case of high copy number yeast vectors, therewill generally be at least 10, preferably at least 20, and usually notexceeding about 150 copies of the vector in a single host. Dependingupon the heterologous peptide selected, either a high or low copy numbervector may be desirable, depending upon the effect of the vector and therecombinant peptide on the host. See, for example, Brake et al. (1984)Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:4642-4646. DNA constructs of the presentinvention can also be integrated into the yeast genome by an integratingvector. Examples of such vectors are known in the art. See, for example,Botstein et al. (1979) Gene 8:17-24.

The selection of suitable yeast and other microorganism hosts for thepractice of the present invention is within the skill of the art. Ofparticular interest are the Saccharomyces species S. cerevisiae, S.carlsbergensis, S. diastaticus, S. douglasii S. kluyveri, S. norbensis,and S. oviformis. When selecting yeast host cells for expression of adesired peptide, suitable host cells may include those shown to have,inter alia, good secretion capacity, low proteolytic activity, andoverall vigor. Yeast and other microorganisms are generally availablefrom a variety of sources, including the Yeast Genetic Stock Center,Department of Biophysics and Medical Physics, University of California,Berkeley, Calif.; and the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas Va.For a review, see Strathern et al., eds. (1981, The Molecular Biology ofthe Yeast Saccharomyces, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y.)

Methods of introducing exogenous DNA into yeast hosts are well known inthe art.

2. Pichia

The use of Pichia methanolica as a host cell for the production ofrecombinant peptides is disclosed in PCT Applications WO 97/17450, WO97/17451, WO 98/02536, and WO 98/02565. DNA molecules for use intransforming P. methanolica are commonly prepared as double-stranded,circular plasmids, which are preferably linearized prior totransformation. For peptide production in P. methanolica, it ispreferred that the promoter and terminator in the plasmid be that of aP. methanolica gene, such as a P. methanolica alcohol utilization gene(AUG1 or AUG2). Other useful promoters include those of thedihydroxyacetone synthase (DHAS), formate dehydrogenase (FMD), andcatalase (CAT) genes, as well as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,252,726. To facilitate integration of the DNA into the hostchromosome, it is preferred to have the entire expression segment of theplasmid flanked at both ends by host DNA sequences. A preferredselectable marker for use in Pichia methanolica is a P. methanolica ADE2gene, which encodes phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole carboxylase (AIRC;EC 4.1.1.21), which allows ade2 host cells to grow in the absence ofadenine. For large-scale, industrial processes where it is desirable tominimize the use of methanol, host cells in which both methanolutilization genes (AUG1 and AUG2) are deleted are preferred. Forproduction of secreted peptides, host cells deficient in vacuolarprotease genes (PEP4 and PRB1) are preferred. Electroporation is used tofacilitate the introduction of a plasmid containing DNA encoding apeptide of interest into P. methanolica cells. It is preferred totransform P. methanolica cells by electroporation using an exponentiallydecaying, pulsed electric field having a field strength of from 2.5 to4.5 kV/cm, preferably about 3.75 kV/cm, and a time constant (t) of from1 to 40 milliseconds, most preferably about 20 milliseconds. For areview of the use of Pichia pastoris for large-scale production ofantibody fragments, see Fischer et al., (1999, Biotechnol Appl Biochem.30 (Pt 2):117-120).

3. Aspergillus

Methods to express peptides in Aspergillus spp. are well known in theart, including but not limited to those described in Carrez et al.,1990, Gene 94:147-154; Contreras, 1991, Bio/Technology 9:378-381; Yeltonet al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:1470-1474; Tilburn et al.,1983, Gene 26:205-221; Kelly and. Hynes, 1985, EMBO J. 4:475-479;Ballance et al., 1983, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 112:284-289; Buxtonet al., 1985, Gene 37:207-214, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,349, incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety. Examples of promoters useful inAspergillus are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,726. Strains of Aspergillususeful for peptide expression are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,349.Commercial production of exogenous peptides is available fromNovoenzymes for Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae.

4. Trichoderma

Trichoderma has certain advantages over other species of recombinanthost cells for expression of desired peptides. This organism is easy togrow in large quantities and it has the ability to glycosylate andefficiently secrete high yields of recombinant mammalian peptides intothe medium, making isolation of the peptide relatively easy. Inaddition, the glycosylation pattern on expressed peptides is moresimilar to that on human peptides than peptides expressed in othersystems. However, there are still differences in the glycan structureson expressed peptides from these cells. For example, terminal sialicacid residues are important to the therapeutic function of a peptide ina mammalian system, since the presence of these moieties at the end ofthe glycan structure impedes peptide clearance from the mammalianbloodstream. The mechanism behind the increased biologic half-life ofsialylated molecules is believed to lie in their decreased recognitionby lectins (Drickamer, 1988, J. Biol. Chem. 263:9557-9560). However, ingeneral fungal cells do not add terminal sialic acid residues to glycanson peptides, and peptides synthesized in fungal cells are thereforeasialic. According to the present invention, this deficiency can beremedied using the in vitro glycan remodeling methods of the inventiondescribed in detail elsewhere herein.

Trichoderma species useful as hosts for the production of peptides to beremodeled include T. reesei, such as QM6a, ALKO2442 or CBS383.78(Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Oosterstraat 1, PO Box 273, 3740AG Baarn, The Netherlands, or, ATCC13631 (American Type CultureCollection, Manassas Va., 10852, USA, type); T. viride (such as CBS189.79 (det. W. Gams); T. longibrachiatum, such as CBS816.68 (type); T.pseudokoningii (such as MUCL19358; Mycotheque de l'Universite Catholiquede Louvain); T. saturnisporum CBS330.70 (type); T. harzianum CBS316.31(det. W. Gams); T. virgatum (T. pseudokoningii) ATCC24961. Mostpreferably, the host is T. reesei and more preferably, it is T. reeseistrains QM9414 (ATCC 26921), RUT-C-30 (ATCC 56765), and highlyproductive mutants such as VTT-D-79125, which is derived from QM9414(Nevalainen, Technical Research Centre of Finland Publications 26,(1985), Espoo, Finland).

The transformation of Trichoderma with DNA is performed using anytechnique known in the art, including that taught in European patent No.EP0244234, Harlki (1989, Bio/Technology 7:596-601) and Uusitalo (1991,J. Biotech 17:35-50). Culture of Trichoderma is supported by previousextensive experience in industrial scale fermentation techniques; forexample, see Finkelstein, 1992, Biotechnology of Filamentous Fungi:Technology and Products, Butterworth-Heinemann, publishers, Stoneham,Mass.

5. Kluvyeromyces

Yeast belonging to the genus Kluyveromyces have been used as hostorganisms for the production of recombinant peptides. Peptides producedby this genus of yeast are, in particular, chymosin (European Patent 96430), thaumatin (European Patent 96 910), albumin, interleukin-II, TPA,UWIP (European Patent 361 991) and albumin derivatives having atherapeutic function (European Patent 413 622). Species of particularinterest in the genus Kluyveromyces include K. lactis.

Methods of expressing recombinant peptides in Kluyvermyces spp. are wellknown in the art. Vectors for the expression and secretion of humanrecombinant peptides in Kluyvermyces are known in the art (Yeh, J. Cell.Biochem. Suppl. 14C:68, Abst. H402; Fleer, 1990, Yeast 6 (SpecialIssue):S449) as are procedures for transformation and expression ofrecombinant peptides (Ito et al., 1983, J. Bacteriol. 153:163-168; vanden Berg, 1990, Bio/Technology 8:135-139; U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,146,WO8304050A1, EP0096910, EP0241435, EP0301670, EP0361991, all of whichare incorporated by reference herein in their entirety). For a review ofgenetic manipulation of Kluyveromyces lactis linear DNA plasmids by genetargeting and plasmid shuffles, see Schaffrath et al. (1999, FEMSMicrobiol Lett. 178(2):201-210).

6. Chrysoporium

The fungal genus Chrysoporium has recently been used to expression offoreign recombinant peptides. A description of the procedures by whichone of skill in the art can use Chrysoporium can be used to expressforeign peptides is found in WO 00/20555 (incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety). Species particularly suitable for expressionsystem include, but are not limited to, C. botryoides, C. camichaelii,C. crassitunicatum, C. europae, C. evolceannui, F. fastidium, C.filiforme, C. gerogiae, C. globiferum, C. globiferum var. articulatum,C. globiferum var. niveum, C. hirundo, C. hispanicum, C. holmii, C.indicum, C. imops, C. keratinophilum, C. kreiselii C. kuzurovianum, C.lignorum, C. lobatum, C. lucknowense, C. lucknowense Garg 27K, C.medium, C. medium var. spissescens, C. mephiticum, C. merdarium, C.merdarium var. roseum, C. minor, C. pannicola, C. parvum, C. parvum var.crescens, C. pilosum, C. peodomerderium, C. pyriformis, C.queenslandicum, C. sigleri, C. sulfreum, C. synchronum, C. tropicum, C.undulatum, C. vallenarense, C. vespertilium, and C. zonatum.

7. Others

Methods for transforming Schwanniomyces are disclosed in European Patent394 538. Methods for transforming Acremonium chrysogenum are disclosedby U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,228. Methods for transforming Neurospora aredisclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,533. Also know is an expression systemspecifically for Schizosaccharomyces pombe (European Patent 385 391).General methods for expressing peptides in fission yeast,Schizosaccharomyces pombe can be found in Giga-Hama and Kumagai (1997,Foreign gene expression in fission yeast: Schizosaccharomyces pombe,Springer, Berlin).

C. Mammalian Systems

As discussed above, mammalian cells typically produce a heterogeneousmixture of N-glycan structures which vary with respect to the number andarrangement of additional sugars attached to the trimannosyl core.Typically, mammalian cells produce peptides having a complex glycanstructure, such as that shown in FIG. 4, right side. Using the methodsof the present invention, a peptide produced in a mammalian cell may beremodeled in vitro to generate a peptide having desired glycosylation byfirst identifying the primary glycan structure and then determiningwhich sugars must be removed in order to remodel the glycan structure.As discussed herein, the sugars to be removed will determine whichcleavage enzymes will be used and thus, the precise steps of theremodeling process will vary depending on the primary glycan structureused as the initial substrate. A sample scheme for remodeling a glycanstructure commonly produced in mammalian cells is shown in FIG. 3. TheN-glycan biosynthetic pathway in mammalian cells has been wellcharacterized (reviewed in Moremen, 1994, Glycobiology 4:113-125). Manyof the enzymes necessary for glycan synthesis have been identified, andmutant cell lines defective in this enzymatic pathway have been isolatedincluding the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines Lec23 (defective inalpha-glucosidase I) and Lec18 (novel GlcNAc-TVM). The glycosylationpattern of peptides produced by these mutant cells is altered relativeto normal CHO cells. As discussed herein, the glycosylation defects inthese and other mutant cells can be exploited for the purposes ofproducing a peptide that lacks a complex glycan structure. For example,peptides produced by Lec23 cells lack sialic acid residues, and thusrequire less enzymatic manipulation in order to reduce the glycanstructure to an elemental trimannosyl core or to Man3GlcNAc4. Thus,peptides produced in these cells can serve as preferred substrates forglycan remodeling. One of ordinary skill in the art could isolate oridentify other glycosylation-defective cell lines based on knownmethods, for example the method described in Stanley et al., 1990,Somatic Cell Mol. Genet., 16: 211-223. Use of glycosylation-defectivecell lines, those identified and as yet unidentified, is included in theinvention for the purpose of generating preferred peptide substrates forthe remodeling processes described herein.

Expression vectors useful for expressing exogenous peptides in mammaliancells are numerous, and are well known to those in the art. Manymammalian expression vectors are now commercially available fromcompanies, including Novagen, Inc (Madison, Wis.), Gene Therapy Systems(San Diego, Calif.), Promega (Madison, Wis.), ClonTech Inc. (Palo Alto,Calif.), and Stratagene (La Jolla, Calif.), among others.

There are several mammalian cell lines that are particularly adept atexpressing exogenous peptides. Typically mammalian cell lines originatefrom tumor cells extracted from mammals that have become immortalized,that is to say, they can replicate in culture essentially indefinitely.These cell lines include, but are not limited to, CHO (Chinese hamsterovary, e.g. CHO-K1; ATCC No. CCL 61) and variants thereof, NSO (mousemyeloma), BNK, BHK 570 (ATCC No. CRL 10314), BHK (ATCC No. CRL 1632),Per.C6™ (immortalized human cells, Crucell N. V., Leiden, TheNetherlands), COS-1 (ATCC No. CRL 1650), COS-7 (ATCC No. CRL 1651), HEK293, mouse L cells, T lymphoid cell lines, BW5147 cells and MDCK(Madin-Darby canine kidney), HeLa (human), A549 (human lung carcinoma),293 (ATCC No. CRL 1573; Graham et al., 1977, Gen. Virol. 36:59-72), BGMK(Buffalo Green Monkey kidney), Hep-2 (human epidermoid larynxcarcinoma), LLC-MK2 (African Green Monkey Kidney), McCoy, NCI-H292 humanpulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma tube), RD (rhabdomyosarcoma), Vero(African Green Monkey kidney), HEL (human embryonic lung), Human FetalLung-Chang, MRC5 (human embryonic lung), MRHF (human foreskin), andWI-38 (human embryonic lung). In some cases, the cells in which thetherapeutic peptide is expressed may be cells derived from the patientto be treated, or they may be derived from another related or unrelatedmammal. For example, fibroblast cells may be isolated from the mammal'sskin tissue, and cultured and transformed in vitro. This technology iscommercially available from Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc. (Cambridge,Mass.). Almost all currently used cell lines are available from theAmerican Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) and Biohittaker(Walkersville, Md.).

Mammalian cells may be transformed with DNA using any one of severaltechniques that are well known to those in the art. Such techniquesinclude, but are not limited to, calcium phosphate transformation (Chenand Okayama, 1988; Graham and van der Eb, 1973; Corsaro and Pearson,1981, Somatic Cell Genetics 7:603), Diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-dextrantransfection (Fujita et al., 1986; Lopata et al., 1984; Selden et al.,1986), electroporation (Neumann et al., 1982; Potter, 1988; Potter etal., 1984; Wong and Neuman, 1982), cationic lipid reagent transfection(Elroy-Stein and Moss, 1990; Feigner et al., 1987; Rose et al., 1991;Whitt et al., 1990; Hawley-Nelson et al., 1993, Focus 15:73; Ciccaroneet al., 1993, Focus 15:80), retroviral (Cepko et al., 1984; Miller andBaltimore, 1986; Pear et al., 1993; Austin and Cepko, 1990; Bodine etal., 1991; Fekete and Cepko, 1993; Lemischka et al., 1986; Turner etal., 1990; Williams et al., 1984; Miller and Rosman, 1989, BioTechniques7:980-90; Wang and Finer, 1996, Nature Med. 2:714-6), polybrene (Chaneyet al, 1986; Kawai and Nishizawa, 1984), microinjection (Capecchi,1980), and protoplast fusion (Rassoulzadegan et al., 1982; Sandri-Goldinet al., 1981; Schaffer, 1980), among others. In general, see Sambrook etal. (2001, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring HarborLaboratory, New York) and Ausubel et al. (2002, Current Protocols inMolecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York) for transformationtechniques.

Recently the baculovirus system, popular for transformation of insectcells, has been adapted for stable transformation of mammalian cells(see, for review, Koat and Condreay, 2002, Trends Biotechnol.20:173-180, and references cited therein). The production of recombinantpeptides in cultured mammalian cells is disclosed, for example, in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,713,339, 4,784,950; 4,579,821; and 4,656,134. Severalcompanies offer the services of transformation and culture of mammaliancells, including Cell Trends, Inc. (Middletown, Md.). Techniques forculturing mammalian cells are well known in the art, and further foundin Hauser et al. (1997, Mammalian Cell Biotechnology, Walter de Gruyer,Inc., Hawthorne, N.Y.), and Sambrook et al. (2001, Molecular Cloning: ALaboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor and references cited therein.

D. Insect

Insect cells and in particular, cultured insect cells, express peptideshaving N-linked glycan structures that are rarely sialylated and usuallycomprise mannose residues which may or may not have additional fucoseresidues attached thereto. Examples of the types of glycan structurespresent on peptides produced in cultured insect cells are shown in FIG.7, and mannose glycans thereof.

Baculovirus-mediated expression in insect cells has become particularlywell-established for the production of recombinant peptides (Altmann etal., 1999, Glycoconjugate J. 16:109-123). With regard to peptide foldingand post-translational processing, insect cells are second only tomammalian cell lines. However, as noted above, N-glycosylation ofpeptides in insect cells differs in many respects from N-glycosylationin mammalian cells particularly in that insect cells frequently generatetruncated glycan structures comprising oligosaccharides containing justthree or sometimes only two mannose residues. These structures may beadditionally substituted with fucose residues.

According to the present invention, a peptide produced in an insect cellmay be remodeled in vitro to generate a peptide with desiredglycosylation by first optionally removing any substituted fucoseresidues using an appropriate fucosidase enzyme. In instances where thepeptide comprises an elemental trimannosyl core structure following theremoval of fucose residues, then all that is required is the in vitroaddition of the appropriate sugars to the trimarmosyl core structure togenerate a peptide having desired glycosylation. In instances when thepeptide might contain only two mannose residues in the glycan structurefollowing removal of any fucose residues, a third mannose residue may beadded using a mannosyltransferase enzyme and a suitable donor moleculesuch as GDP-mannose, and thereafter the appropriate residues are addedto generate a peptide having desired glycosylation.

Protocols for the use of baculovirus to transform insect cells are wellknown to those in the art. Several books have been published whichprovide the procedures to use the baculovirus system to express peptidesin insect cells. These books include, but are not limited to, Richardson(Baculovirus Expression Protocols, 1998, Methods in Molecular Biology,Vol 39, Humana Pr), O'Reilly et al. (1994, Baculovirus ExpressionVectors: A Laboratory Manual, Oxford Univ Press), and King and Possee(1992, The Baculovirus Expression System: A Laboratory Guide, Chapman &Hall). In addition, there are also publications such as Lucklow (1993,Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 4:564-572) and Miller (1993, Curr. Opin. Genet.Dev. 3:97-101).

Many patents have also been issued that related to systems forbaculoviral expression of foreign proteins. These patents include, butare not limited to, U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,966 (Culture medium for insectcells lacking glutamine an contains ammonium salt), U.S. Pat. No.6,090,584 (Use of BVACs (BaculoVirus Artificial Chromosomes) to producerecombinant peptides), U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,986 (Use of a baculovirus toexpress a recombinant nucleic acid in a mammalian cell), U.S. Pat. No.5,759,809 (Methods of expressing peptides in insect cells and methods ofkilling insects), U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,220 (Cysteine protease genedefective baculovirus, process for its production, and process for theproduction of economic peptide by using the same), U.S. Pat. No.5,750,383 (Baculovirus cloning system), U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,182(Non-mammalian DNA virus to express a recombinant nucleic acid in amammalian cell), U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,580 (Methods and culture media forinducing single cell suspension in insect cell lines), U.S. Pat. No.5,583,023 (Modified baculovirus, its preparation process and itsapplication as a gene expression vector), U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,709(Modified baculovirus and baculovirus expression vectors), U.S. Pat. No.5,521,299 (Oligonucleotides for detection of baculovirus infection),U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,657 (Baculovirus vectors for expression of secretoryand membrane-bound peptides), U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,090 (Gene encoding apeptide which enhances virus infection of host insects), U.S. Pat. No.5,472,858 (Production of recombinant peptides in insect larvae), U.S.Pat. No. 5,348,886 (Method of producing recombinant eukaryotic virusesin bacteria), U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,774 (Prokaryotic leader sequence inrecombinant baculovirus expression system), U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,050(Method to improve the efficiency of processing and secretion ofrecombinant genes in insect systems), U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,805(Baculovirus expression vectors), U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,293 (Recombinantbaculovirus), U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,376 (Baculovirus expression systemcapable of producing recombinant peptides at high levels), U.S. Pat. No.5,179,007 (Method and vector for the purification of recombinantpeptides), U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,784 (Baculovirus dual promoter expressionvector), U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,222 (Use of baculovirus early promoters forexpression of recombinant nucleic acids in stably transformed insectcells or recombinant baculoviruses), U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,037 (Insectsignal sequences useful to improve the efficiency of processing andsecretion of recombinant nucleic acids in insect systems), U.S. Pat. No.5,147,788 (Baculovirus vectors and methods of use), U.S. Pat. No.5,110,729 (Method of producing peptides using baculovirus vectors incultured cells), U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,214 (Use of baculovirus earlypromoters for expression of recombinant genes in stably transformedinsect cells), U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,328 (Lepidopteran AKH signalsequence), and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,879,236 and 4,745,051 (Method forproducing a recombinant baculovirus expression vector). All of theaforementioned patentes are incorporated in their entirety by referenceherein.

Insect cell lines of several different species origin are currentlybeing used for peptide expression, and these lines are well known tothose in the art. Insect cell lines of interest include, but are notlimited to, dipteran and lepidopteran insect cells in general, Sf9 andvariants thereof (fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda), Estigmene acrea,Trichoplusia ni, Bombyx mori, Malacosoma disstri. drosophila lines Kc1and SL2 among others, and mosquito.

E. Plants

Plant cells as peptide producers present a different set of issues.While N-linked glycans produced in plants comprise a trimannosyl corestructure, this pentasaccharide backbone may comprise several differentadditional sugars as shown in FIG. 6. For example, in one instance, thetrimannosyl core structure is substituted by a β1,2 linked xyloseresidue and an α1,3 linked fucose residue. In addition, plant cells mayalso produce a Man5GlcNAc2 structure. Peptides produced in plant cellsare often highly antigenic as a result of the presence of the core α1,3fucose and xylose on the glycan structure, and are rapidly cleared fromthe blood stream when introduced into a mammal due to the absence ofterminal sialic acid residues. Therefore, unless these peptides areremodeled using the methods provided herein, they are generallyconsidered to be unsuitable as therapeutic agents in mammals. While somemonoclonal antibodies expressed in plant cells were found to benon-immunogenic in mouse, it is likely that the glycan chains were notimmunogenic because they were buried in the Fc region in theseantibodies (Chargelegue et al., 2000, Transgenic Res. 9(3):187-194).

Following the directions provided herein, it is now possible to generatea peptide produced in a plant cell wherein an increased number of theglycan structures present thereon comprise an elemental trimannosyl corestructure, or a Man3GlcNAc4 structure. This is accomplished by cleavingoff any additional sugars in vitro using a combination of appropriateglycosidases, including fucosidases, until the elemental trimannosylcore structure or the Man3GkcNAc4 structure is arrived at. Thesecleavage reactions should also include removal of any fucose or xyloseresidues from the structures in order to diminish the antigenicity ofthe final peptide when introduced into a mammal. Plant cells havingmutations that inhibit the addition of fucose and xylose residues to thetrimannosyl core structure are known in the art (von Schaewen et al.,1993, Plant Physiology 102:1109-1118). The use of these cells to producepeptides having glycans which lack fucose and xylose is contemplated bythe invention. Upon production of the elemental trimannosyl core orMan3GlcNAc4 structure, additional sugars may then be added thereto toarrive at a peptide having desired glycosylation that is thereforesuitable for therapeutic use in a mammal.

Transgenic plants are considered by many to be the expression system ofchoice for pharmaceutical peptides. Potentially, plants can provide acheaper source of recombinant peptides. It has been estimated that theproduction costs of recombinant peptides in plants could be between 10to 50 times lower that that of producing the same peptide in E. coli.While there are slight differences in the codon usage in plants ascompared to animals, these can be compensated for by adjusting therecombinant DNA sequences (see, Kusnadi et al., 1997, Biotechnol.Bioeng. 56:473-184; Khoudi et al., 1999, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 135-143;Hood et al., 1999, Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 464:127-147). In addition,peptide synthesis, secretion and post-translational modification arevery similar in plants and animals, with only minor differences in plantglycosylation (see, Fischer et al., 2000, J. Biol. Regul. Homest. Agents14: 83-92). Then, products from transgenic plants are also less likelyto be contaminated by- animal pathogens, microbial toxins and oncogenicsequences.

The expression of recombinant peptides in plant cells is well known inthe art. In addition to transgenic plants, peptides can also produced intransgenic plant cell cultures (Lee et al., 1997, Mol. Cell. 7:783-787),and non-transgenic plants inoculated with recombinant plant viruses.Several books have been published that describe protocols for thegenetic transformation of plant cells: Potrykus (1995, Gene transfer toplants, Springer, N.Y.), Nickoloff (1995, Plant cell electroporation andelectrofasion protocols, Humana Press, Totowa, N.Y.) and Draper (1988,Plant genetic transformation, Oxford Press, Boston).

Several methods are currently used to stably transform plant cells withrecombinant genetic material. These methods include, but are not limitedto, Agrobacterium transformation (Bechtold and Pelletier, 1998; Escuderoand Hohn, 1997; Hansen and Chilton, 1999; Touraev et al., 1997),biolistics (microprojectiles) (Finer et al., 1999; Hansen and Chilton,1999; Shilito, 1999), electroporation of protoplasts (Fromm et al.,1985, Ou-Lee et al., 1986; Rhodes et al., 1988; Saunders et al., 1989;Trick et al., 1997), polyethylene glycol treatment (Shilito, 1999; Tricket al., 1997), in planta mircroinjection (Leduc et al., 1996; Zhou etal., 1983), seed imbibition Crick et al., 1997), laser beam (1996), andsilicon carbide whiskers (Thompson et al., 1995; U.S. Patent Appln. No.20020100077, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).

Many kinds of plants are amenable to transformation and expression ofexogenous peptides. Plants of particular interest to express thepeptides to be used in the remodeling method of the invention include,but are not limited to, Arabidopsis thalliana, rapeseed (Brassica spp.;Ruiz and Blumwald, 2002, Planta 214:965-969)), soybean (Glycine max),sunflower (Helianthus unnuus), oil palm (Elaeis guineeis), groundnut(peanut, Arachis hypogaea; Deng et al., 2001, Cell. Res. 11:156-160),coconut (Cocus nucifera), castor (Ricinus communis), safflower(Carthamus tinctorius), mustard (Brassica spp. and Sinapis alba),coriander, (Coriandrum sativum), squash (Cucurbita maxima; Spencer andSnow, 2001, Heredity 86(Pt 6):694-702), linseed/flax (Linumusitatissimum; Lamblin et al., 2001, Physiol Plant 112:223-232), Brazilnut (Bertholletia excelsa), jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), maize (Zeamays; Hood et al., 1999, Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 464:127-147; Hood et al.,1997, Mol. Breed. 3:291-306; Petolino et al., 2000, Transgenic Research9:1-9), alfalfa (Khoudi et al., 1999, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 64:135-143),tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum; Wright et al., Transgenic Res. 10:177-181;Frigerio et al., 2000, Plant Physiol. 123:1483-1493; Cramer et al.,1996, Ann. New York Acad. Sci. 792:62-8-71; Cabanes-Macheteau et al.,1999, Glycobiology 9:365-372; Ruggiero et al., 2000, FEBS Lett.469:132-136), canola (Bai et al., 2001, Biotechnol. Prog. 17:168-174;Zhang et al., 2000, J. Anim. Sci. 78:2868-2878)), potato (Tacket et al.,1998, J. Infect. Dis. 182:302-305; Richter et al., 2000, Nat.Biotechnol. 18:1167-1171; Chong et al., 2000, Transgenic Res. 9:71-78),alfalfa (Wigdorovitz et al., 1999, Virology 255:347-353), Pea (Pisumsativum; Perrin et al., 2000, Mol. Breed. 6:345-352), rice (Oryzasativa; Stoger et al., 2000, Plant Mol. Biol. 42:583-590), cotton(Gossypium hirsutum; Komyeyev et al., 2001, Physiol Plant 113:323-331),barley (Hordeum vulgare; Petersen et al., 2002, Plant Mol Biol49:45-58); wheat (Triticum spp.; Pellegrineschi et al., 2002, Genome45:421-430) and bean (Vicia spp.; Saalbach et al., 1994, Mol Gen Genet242:226-236).

If expression of the recombinant nucleic acid is desired in a wholeplant rather than in cultured cells, plant cells are first transformedwith DNA encoding the peptide, following which, the plant isregenerated. This involves tissue culture procedures that are typicallyoptimized for each plant species. Protocols to regenerate plants arealready well known in the art for many species. Furthermore, protocolsfor other species can be developed by one of skill in the art usingroutine experimentation. Numerous laboratory manuals are available thatdescribe procedures for plant regeneration, including but not limitedto, Smith (2000, Plant tissue culture: techniques and experiments,Academic Press, San Diego), Bhojwani and Razdan (1996, Plant tissueculture: theory and practice, Elsevier Science Pub., Amsterdam), Islam(1996, Plant tissue culture, Oxford & IBH Pub. Co., New Delhi, India),Dodds and. Roberts (1995, Experiments in plant tissue culture, New York:Cambridge University Press, Cambridge England), Bhojwani (Plant tissueculture: applications and limitations, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1990),Trigiano and Gray (2000, Plant tissue culture concepts and laboratoryexercises,. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.), and Lindsey (1991, Planttissue culture manual: fundamentals and applications, Kluwer Academic,Boston).

While purifying recombinant peptides from plants may potentially becostly, several systems have been developed to minimize these costs. Onemethod directs the synthesized peptide to the seed endosperm from whereit can easily extracted (Wright et al., 2001, Transgenic Res.10:177-181, Guda et a., 2000, Plant Cell Res. 19:257-262; and U.S. Pat.No. 5,767,379, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety). An alternative approach is the co-extraction of therecombinant peptide with conventional plant products such as starch,meal or oil. In oil-seed rape, a fusion peptide of oleosin-hurudin whenexpressed in the plant, attaches to the oil body of the seed, and can beextracted from the plant seed along with the oil (Parmenter, 1995, PlantMol. Biol. 29:1167-1180; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,650,554, 5,792,922, 5,948,682and 6,288,304, and US application 2002/0037303, all of which areincorporated in their entirely by reference herein). In a variation onthis approach, the oleosin is fused to a peptide having affinity for theexogenous co-expressed peptide of interest (U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,452,incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).

Expression of recombinant peptides in plant plastids, such as thechloroplast, generates peptides having no glycan structures attachedthereto, similar to the situation in prokaryotes. However, the yield ofsuch peptides is vastly greater when expressed in these plant cellorganelles, and thus this type of expression system may have advantagesover other systems. For a general review on the technology for plastidexpression of exogenous peptides in higher plants, see Hager and Beck(2000, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 54:302-310, and references citedtherein). Plastid expression has been particularly successful in tobacco(see, for example, Staub et al., 2000, Nat. Biotechnol. 18:333-338).

F. Transgenic Animals

Introduction of a recombinant DNA into the fertilized egg of an animal(e.g., a mammal) may be accomplished using any number of standardtechniques in transgenic animal technology. See, e.g., Hogan et al.,Manipulating the Mouse Embryo: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring HarborLaboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1986; and U.S. Pat. No.5,811,634, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.Most commonly, the recombinant DNA is introduced into the embryo by wayof pronuclear microinjection (Gordon et al., 1980, PNAS 77:7380-7384;Gordon and Ruddle, 1981, Science 214:1244-1246; Brinster et al., 1981,Cell 27:223-231; Costantini and Lacy, 1981, Nature 294:92-94).Microinjection has the advantage of being applicable to a wide varietyof species. Preimplantation embryos may also be transformed withretroviruses (Jaenisch and Mintz, 1974, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.71:1250-1254; Jaenisch et al., 1976, Hamatol Bluttransfus. 19:341-356;Stuhlmann et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:7151-7155).Retroviral mediated transformation has the advantage of adding singlecopies of the recombinant nucleic acid to the cell, but it produces ahigh degree of mosaicism. Most recently, embryonic stem cell-mediatedtechniques have been used (Gossler et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.U.S.A. 83:9065-9069), transfer of entire chromosomal segments (Lavitranoet al., 1989, Cell 57:717-723), and gamete transfection in conjunctionwith in vitro fertilization (Lavitrano et al., 1989, Cell 57:717-723)have also been used. Several books of laboratory procedures have beenpublished disclosing these techniques: Cid-Arregui and García-Carrancá(1998, Microinjection and Transgenesis: Strategies and Protocols,Springer, Berlin), Clarke (2002, Transgenesis Techniques: Principles andProtocols, Humana Press, Totowa, N.J.), and Pinkert (1994, TransgenicAnimal Technology: A Laboratory Handbook, Academic Press, San Diego).

Once the recombinant DNA is introduced into the egg, the egg isincubated for a short period of time and is then transferred into apseudopregnant animal of the same species from which the egg wasobtained (Hogan et al., supra). In the case of mammals, typically 125eggs are injected per experiment, approximately two-thirds of which willsurvive the procedure. Twenty viable eggs are transferred into apseudopregnant mammal, four to ten of which will develop into liveprogeny. Typically, 10-30% of the progeny (in the case of mice) carrythe recombinant DNA.

While the entire animal can be used as an expression system for thepeptides of the invention, in a preferred embodiment, the exogenouspeptide accumulates in products of the animal, from which it can beharvested without injury to the animal. In preferred embodiments, theexogenous peptide accumulates in milk, eggs, hair, blood, and urine.

If the recombinant peptide is to be accumulated in the milk of theanimal, suitable mammals are ruminants, ungulates, domesticated mammals,and dairy animals. Particularly preferred animals are goats, sheep,camels, cows, pigs, horses, oxen, and llamas. Methods for generatingtransgenic cows that accumulate a recombinant peptide in their milk arewell known: see, Newton (1999, J. Immunol. Methods 231:159-167), Ebertet al. (1991, Biotechnology 9: 835-838), and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,210,736,5,849,992, 5,843,705, 5,827,690, 6,222,094, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The generation oftransgenic mammals that produce a desired recombinant peptide iscommercially available from GTC Biotherapeutics, Framingham, Mass.

If the recombinant peptide is to be accumulated in eggs, suitable birdsinclude, but are not limited to, chickens, geese, and turkeys. Otheranimals of interest include, but are not limited to, other species ofavians, fish, reptiles and amphibians. The introduction of recombinantDNA to a chicken by retroviral transformation is well known in the art:Thoraval et al. (1995, Transgenic Research 4:369-376), Bosselman et al.,(1989, Science 243: 533-535), Petropoulos et al. (1992, J. Virol. 66:3391-3397), U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,215, incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. Successful transformation of chickens with recombinant DNAalso been achieved wherein DNA is introduced into blastodermal cells andblastodermal cells so transfected are introduced into the embryo:Brazolot et al. (1991, Mol. Reprod. Dev. 30: 304-312), Fraser, et al.(1993, Int. J. Dev. Biol. 37: 381-385), and Petitte et al. (1990,Development 108: 185-189). High throughput technology has been developedto assess whether a transgenic chicken expresses the desired peptide(Harvey et al., 2002, Poult. Sci. 81:202-212, U.S. Pat. No. 6,423,488,incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). Using retroviraltransformation of chicken with a recombinant DNA, exogenousbeta-lactamase was accumulated in the egg white of the chicken (Harveyet al., 2002, Nat. Biotechnol. 20(4):396-399). The production ofchickens producing exogenous peptides in egg is commercially availablefrom AviGenics, Inc., Athens Ga.

G. Bacteria

Recombinantly expressed peptides produced in bacteria are not generallyglycosylated. However, bacteria systems capable of glycosylatingpeptides are becoming evident and therefore it is likely thatglycosylated recombinant peptides may be produced in bacteria in thefuture.

Numerous bacterial expression systems are known in the art. Preferredbacterial species include, but are not limited to, E. coli. and Bacillusspecies. The expression of recombinant peptides in E. coli is well knownin the art. Protocols for E. coli-based expression systems are found inU.S. Appln No. 20020064835, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,245,539, 5,606,031,5,420,027, 5,151,511, and RE33,653, among others. Methods to transformbacteria include, but are not limited to, calcium chloride (Cohen etal., 1972, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 69:2110-2114; Hanahan, 1983, J.Mol. Biol. 166:557-580; Mandel and Higa, 1970, J. Mol. Biol. 53:159-162)and electroporation (Shigekawa and Dower, 1988, Biotechniques6:742-751), and those described in Sambrook et al., 2001 (supra). For areview of laboratory protocols on microbial transformation andexpression systems, see Saunders and Saunders (1987, Microbial GeneticsApplied to Biotechnology: Principles and Techniques of Gene Transfer andManipulation, Croom Helm, London), Pühiler (1993, Genetic Engineering ofMicroorganisms, Weinheim, New York), Lee et al., (1999, MetabolicEngineering, Marcel Dekker, New York), Adolph (1996, Microbial GenomeMethods, CRC Press, Boca Raton), and Birren and Lai (1996, NonmammalianGenomic Analysis: A Practical Guide, Academic Press, San Diego),

For a general review on the literature for peptide expression in E. colisee Balbas (2001, Mol. Biotechnol. 19:251-267). Several companies nowoffer bacterial strains selected for the expression of mammalianpeptides, such as the Rosetta™ strains of E. coli (Novagen, inc.,Madison, Wis.; with enhanced expression of eukaryotic codons notnormally used in bacteria cells, and enhanced disulfide bond formation),

H. Cell Engineering

It will be apparent from the present disclosure that the more uniformthe starting material produced by a cell, the more efficient will be thegeneration in vitro of large quantities of peptides having desiredglycosylation. Thus, the genetic engineering of host cells to produceuniformly glycosylated peptides as starting material for the in vitroenzymatic reactions disclosed herein, provides a significant advantageover using a peptide starting material having a heterogeneous set ofglycan structures attached thereto. One preferred peptide startingmaterial for use in the present invention is a peptide having primarilyglycan molecules which consist solely of an elemental trimamiosyl corestructure. Another preferred starting material is Man3GlcNAc4. Followingthe remodeling process, the preferred peptides will give rise to thegreatest amount of peptides having desired glycosylation, and thusimproved clinical efficacy. However, other glycan starting material isalso suitable for use in the methods described herein, in that forexample, high mannose glycans may be easily reduced, in vitro, toelemental trimannosyl core structures using a series of mannosidases. Asdescribed elsewhere herein, other glycan starting material may also beused, provided it is possible to cleave off all extraneous sugarmoieties so that the elemental trimannosyl core structure or Man3GlcNAc4is generated. Thus, the purpose of using genetically engineered cellsfor the production of the peptides of the present invention is togenerate peptides having as uniform as possible a glycan structureattached thereto, wherein the glycan structure can be remodeled in vitroto generate a peptide having desired glycosylation. This will result ina dramatic reduction in production costs of these peptides. Since theglycopeptides produced using this methodology will predominantly havethe same N-linked glycan structure, the post-production modificationprotocol can be standardized and optimized to produce a greaterbatch-to-batch consistency of final product. As a result, the finalcompleted-chain products may be less heterogeneous than those presentlyavailable. The products will have an improved biological half-life andbioactivity as compared to the products of the prior art. Alternatively,if desired, the invention can be used to introduce limited and specificheterogeneity, e.g., by choosing reaction conditions that result indifferential addition of sugar moieties.

Preferably, though not as a rigid requirement, the geneticallyengineered cell is one which produces peptides having glycan structurescomprised primarily of an elemental trimannosyl core structure orMan3GlcNAc4. At a minimum, the proportion of these preferred structuresproduced by the genetically engineered cell must be enough to yield apeptide having desired glycosylation following the remodeling protocol.

In general, any eukaryotic cell type can be modified to become a hostcell of the present invention. First, the glycosylation pattern of bothendogenous and recombinant glycopeptides produced by the organism aredetermined in order to identify suitable additions/deletions ofenzymatic activities that result in the production of elementaltrimannosyl core glycopeptides or Man3GlcNAc4 glycopeptides. This willtypically entail deleting activities that use trimannosyl glycopeptidesas substrates for a glycosyltransferase reaction and inserting enzymaticactivities that degrade more complex N-linked glycans to produce shorterchains. In addition, genetically engineered cells may produce highmannose glycans, which may be cleaved by mannosidase to produce desiredstarting glycan structures. The mannosidase may be active in vivo in thecell (i.e., the cell may be genetically engineered to produce them), orthey may be used in in vitro post production reactions.

Techniques for genetically modifying host cells to alter theglycosylation profile of expressed peptides are well-known. See, e.g.,Altmann et al. (1999, Glycoconjugate J. 16: 109-123), Ailor et al.(2000, Glycobiology 10(8): 837-847), Jarvis et al., (In vitrogenConference, March, 1999, abstract), Hollister and Jarvis, (2001,Glycobiology 11(1): 1-9), and Palacpac et al., (1999, PNAS USA 96:4697), Jarvis et al., (1998. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 9:528-533),Gemgross (U.S. Patent Publication No. 20020137134), all of whichdisclose techniques to “mammalianize” insect or plant cell expressionsystems by transfecting insect or plant cells with glycosyltransferasegenes.

Techniques also exist to genetically alter the glycosylation profile ofpeptides expressed in E. coli. E. coli has been engineered with variousglycosyltransferases from the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis andAzorhizobium to produce oligosaccharides in vivo (Bettler et al., 1999,Glycoconj. J. 16:205-212). E. coli which has been genetically engineeredto over-express Neisseria meningitidis β1,3 N acetylglucoaminyltransferase lgta gene will efficiently glycosylate exogenouslactose (Priem et al., 2002, Glycobiology 12:235-240).

Fungal cells have also been genetically modified to produce exogenousglycosyltransferases (Yoshida et al., 1999, Glycobiology, 9(1):53-58;Kalsner et al., 1995, Glycoconj. J. 12:360-370; Schwientek and Ernst,1994, Gene 145(2):299-303; Chiba et al, 1995, Biochem J. 308:405-409).

Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a cell thatglycosylates a glycopeptide population such that a proportion ofglycopeptides produced thereby have an elemental trimannosyl core or aMan3GlcNAc4 structure. Preferably, the cell produces a peptide having aglycan structure comprised solely of an elemental trimannosyl core. At aminimum, the proportion of peptides having an elemental trimannosyl coreor a Man3GlcNAc4 structure is enough to yield peptides having desiredglycosylation following the remodeling process. The cell has introducedinto it one or more heterologous nucleic acid expression units, each ofwhich may comprise one or more nucleic acid sequences encoding one ormore peptides of interest. The natural form of the glycopeptide ofinterest may comprise one or more complex N-linked glycans or may simplybe a high mannose glycan.

The cell may be any type of cell and is preferably a eukaryotic cell.The cell may be a mammalian cell such as human, mouse, rat, rabbit,hamster or other type of mammalian cell. When the cell is a mammaliancell, the mammalian cell may be derived from or contained within anon-human transgenic mammal where the cell in the mammal encodes thedesired glycopeptide and a variety of glycosylating and glycosidaseenzymes as necessary for the production of desired glycopeptidemolecules. In addition, the cell may be a fungal cell, preferably, ayeast cell, or the cell may be an insect or a plant cell. Similarly,when the cell is a plant cell, the plant cell may be derived from orcontained within a transgenic plant, wherein the plant encodes thedesired glycopeptide and a variety of glycosylating and glycosidaseenzymes as are necessary for the production of desired glycopeptidemolecules.

In some embodiments the host cell may be a eukaryotic cell expressingone or more heterologous glycosyltransferase enzymes and/or one or moreheterologous glycosidase enzymes, wherein expression of a recombinantglycopeptide in the host cell results in the production of a recombinantglycopeptide having an elemental trimannosyl core as the primary glycanstructure attached thereto.

In some embodiments the heterologous glycosyltransferase enzyme usefulin the cell may be selected from a group consisting of any knownglycosyltransferase enzyme included for example, in the list ofGlycosyltransferase Families available in Taniguchi et al. (2002,Handbook of Glycosyltransferases and Related Genes, Springer, N.Y.).

In other embodiments, the heterologous glycosylase enzyme may beselected from a group consisting of mannosidase 1, mannosidase 2,mannosidase 3, and other mannosidases, including, but not limited to,microbial mannosidases. Additional disclosure regarding enzymes usefulin the present invention is provided elsewhere herein.

In yet other embodiments, the host cell may be a eukaryotic cell whereinone or more endogenous glycosyltransferase enzymes and/or one or moreendogenous glycosidase enzymes have been inactivated such thatexpression of a recombinant glycopeptide in the host cell results in theproduction of a recombinant glycopeptide having an elemental trimannosylcore as the primary glycan structure attached thereto.

In additional embodiments, the host cell may express heterologousglycosyltransferase enzymes and/or glycosidase enzymes while at the sametime one or more endogenous glycosyltransferase enzymes and/orglycosidase enzymes are inactivated. Endogenous glycosyltransferaseenzymes and/or glycosidase enzymes may be inactivated using anytechnique known to those skilled in the art including, but not limitedto, antisense techniques and techniques involving insertion of nucleicacids into the genome of the host cell. In some embodiments, theendogenous enzymes may be selected from a group consisting of GnT-I, aselection of mannosidases, xylosyltransferase, core α1,3fucosyltransferase, serine/threonine O-mannosyltransferases, and thelike.

Alternatively, an expression system that naturally glycosylates peptidessuch that the N-linked glycans are predominantly the trimannosyl coretype, or the Man3GlcNAc4 type, can be exploited. An example of a celltype that produces the trimanosyl core is Sf9 cells. Other suchexpression systems can be identified by analyzing glycopeptides that arenaturally or recombinantly expressed in cells and selecting those whichexhibit the desired glycosylation characteristics. The invention shouldbe construed to include any and all such cells for the production of thepeptides of the present invention.

V. Purification of Glycan Remodeled and/or Glycoconjugate Peptides

If the modified glycoprotein is produced intracellularly or secreted, asa first step, the particulate debris, either host cells, lysedfragments, is removed, for example, by centrifugation orultrafiltration; optionally, the protein may be concentrated with acommercially available protein concentration filter, followed byseparating the peptide variant from other impurities by one or moresteps selected from immunoaffinity chromatography, ion-exchange columnfractionation (e.g., on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) or matrices containingcarboxymethyl or sulfopropyl groups), chromatography on Blue-Sepharose,CM Blue-Sepharose, MONO-Q, MONO-S, lentil lectin-Sepharose,WGA-Sepharose, Con A-Sepharose, Ether Toyopearl, Butyl Toyopearl, PhenylToyopearl, or protein A Sepharose, SDS-PAGE chromatography, silicachromatography, chromatofocusing, reverse phase HPLC (RP-IPLC), gelfiltration using, e.g., Sephadex molecular sieve or size-exclusionchromatography, chromatography on columns that selectively bind thepeptide, and ethanol, pH or ammonium sulfate precipitation, membranefiltration and various techniques.

Modified peptides produced in culture are usually isolated by initialextraction from cells, enzymes, etc., followed by one or moreconcentration, salting-out, aqueous ion-exchange, or size-exclusionchromatography steps. Additionally, the modified glycoprotein may bepurified by affinity chromatography. Then, HPLC may be employed forfinal purification steps.

A protease inhibitor, e.g., phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF) may beincluded in any of the foregoing steps to inhibit proteolysis andantibiotics may be included to prevent the growth of adventitiouscontaminants.

Within another embodiment, supernatants from systems which produce themodified peptide of the invention are first concentrated using acommercially available protein concentration filter, for example, anAmicon or Millipore Pellicon ultrafiltration unit. Following theconcentration step, the concentrate may be applied to a suitablepurification matrix. For example, a suitable affinity matrix maycomprise a ligand for the peptide, a lectin or antibody molecule boundto a suitable support. Alternatively, an anion-exchange resin may beemployed, for example, a matrix or substrate having pendant DEAE groups.Suitable matrices include acrylamide, agarose, dextran, cellulose, orother types commonly employed in protein purification. Alternatively, acation-exchange step may be employed. Suitable cation exchangers includevarious insoluble matrices comprising sulfopropyl or carboxymethylgroups. Sulfopropyl groups are particularly preferred.

Then, one or more RP-HPLC steps employing hydrophobic RP-HPLC media,e.g., silica gel having pendant methyl or other aliphatic groups, may beemployed to further purify a peptide variant composition. Some or all ofthe foregoing purification steps, in various combinations, can also beemployed to provide a homogeneous modified glycoprotein.

The modified peptide of the invention resulting from a large-scalefermentation may be purified by methods analogous to those disclosed byUrdal et al., J. Chromatog. 296: 171 (1984). This reference describestwo sequential, RP-HPLC steps for purification of recombinant human IL-2on a preparative HPLC column. Alternatively, techniques such as affinitychromatography may be utilized to purify the modified glycoprotein.

VI. Preferred Peptides and Nucleic Acids Encoding Preferred Peptides

The present invention includes isolated nucleic acids encoding variouspeptides and proteins, and similar molecules or fragments thereof. Suchpeptides include, but are not limited to human granulocyte colonystimulating factor (G-CSF), human interferon alpha (IFN-alpha), humaninterferon beta (IFN-beta), human Factor VII (Factor VI), human FactorIX (Factor IX), human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), humanerythropoietin (EPO), human granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulatingfactor (GM-CSF), human interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), humanalpha-1-protease inhibitor (also known as alpha-1-antitrypsin oralpha-1-trypsin inhibitor; A-1-PI), glucocerebrosidase, humantissue-type activator (TPA), human interleukin-2 (IL-2), human FactorVIII (Factor VIII), a 75 kDa tumor necrosis factor receptor fused to ahuman IgG immunoglobulin Fc portion, commercially known as ENBREL™ orETANERCEP™ (chimeric TNFR), human urokinase (urokinase), a Fab fragmentof the human/mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody that specifically bindsglycoprotein IIb/IIIa and the vitronectin alpha_(V) beta₃ receptor,known commercially as REOPRO™ or ABCIXIMAB (chimeric anti-glycoproteinIIb/IIIa), a mouse/human chimeric monoclonal antibody that specificallybinds human HER2, known commercially as HERCEPTIN™ (chimeric anti-HER2),a human/mouse chimeric antibody that specifically binds the A antigenicsite or the F protein of respiratory syncytial virus commercially knownas SYNAGIS™ or PALWIZUMAB (chimeric anti-RSV), a chimeric human/mousemonoclonal antibody that specifically binds CD20 on human B-cells, knowncommercially as RITUXAN™ or RITUXAMAB™ (chimeric anti-CD20), humanrecombinant DNase (DNase), a chimeric human/mouse monoclonal antibodythat specifically binds human tumor necrosis factor, known commerciallyas REMICADE™ or INFLIXIMAB™ (chimeric anti-TNF), human insulin, thesurface antigen of a hepatitis B virus (adw subtype; HBsAg), and humangrowth hormone (HGH), and the like.

The isolated nucleic acid of the invention should be construed toinclude an RNA or a DNA sequence encoding any of the above-identifiedpeptides of the invention, and any modified forms thereof, includingchemical modifications of the DNA or RNA which render the nucleotidesequence more stable when it is cell free or when it is associated witha cell. As a non-limiting example, oligonucleotides which contain atleast one phosphorothioate modification are known to confer upon theoligonucleotide enhanced resistance to nucleases. Specific examples ofmodified oligonucleotides include those which contain phosphorothioate,phosphotriester, methyl phosphonate, short chain alkyl or cycloalkylintersugar linkages, or short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclicintersugar (“backbone”) linkages. In addition, oligonucleotides havingmorpholino backbone structures (U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506) or polyamidebackbone structures (Nielsen et al., 1991, Science 254: 1497) may alsobe used.

Chemical modifications of nucleotides may also be used to enhance theefficiency with which a nucleotide sequence is taken up by a cell or theefficiency with which it is expressed in a cell. Any and allcombinations of modifications of the nucleotide sequences arecontemplated in the present invention.

The present invention should not be construed as being limited solely tothe nucleic and amino acid sequences disclosed herein. As described inmore detail elsewhere herein, once armed with the present invention, itis readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other nucleic acidsencoding the peptides of the present invention can be obtained byfollowing the procedures described herein (e.g., site-directedmutagenesis, frame shift mutations, and the like), and procedures thatare well-known in the art.

Also included are isolated nucleic acids encoding fragments of peptides,wherein the peptide fragments retain the desired biological activity ofthe peptide. In addition, although exemplary nucleic acids encodingpreferred peptides are disclosed herein in relation to specific SEQ IDNOS, the invention should in no way be construed to be limited to anyspecific nucleic acid disclosed herein. Rather, the invention should beconstrued to include any and all nucleic acid molecules having asufficient percent identity with the sequences disclosed herein suchthat these nucleic acids also encode a peptide having the desiredbiological activity disclosed herein. Also contemplated are isolatednucleic acids that are shorter than full length nucleic acids, whereinthe biological activity of the peptide encoded thereby is retained.Methods to determine the percent identity between one nucleic acid andanother are disclosed elsewhere herein as-are assays for thedetermination of the biological activity of any specific preferredpeptide.

Also as disclosed elsewhere herein, any other number of procedures maybe used for the generation of derivative, mutant, or variant forms ofthe peptides of the present invention using recombinant DNA methodologywell known in the art such as, for example, that described in Sambrooket al. (1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring HarborLaboratory Press, New York) and Ausubel et al. (1997, Current Protocolsin Molecular Biology, Green & Wiley, New York). Procedures for theintroduction of amino acid changes in a peptide or polypeptide byaltering the DNA sequence encoding the peptide are well known in the artand are also described in Sambrook et al. (1989, supra); Ausubel et al.(1997, supra).

The invention includes a nucleic acid encoding a G-CSF, IFN-alpha,IFN-beta, Factor VII, Factor IX, FSH, EPO, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, A-1-PI,glucocerebrosidase, TPA, IL-2, Factor VIII, chimeric TNFR, urokinase,chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, chimeric anti-HER2, chimericanti-RSV, chimeric anti-CD20, DNase, chimeric anti-TNF, human insulin,HBsAg, and HGH, wherein a nucleic acid encoding a tag peptide iscovalently linked thereto. That is, the invention encompasses a chimericnucleic acid wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding a tag peptide iscovalently linked to the nucleic acid encoding a peptide of the presentinvention. Such tag peptides are well known in the art and include, forinstance, green fluorescent protein (GFP), myc, myc-pyruvate kinase(myc-PK), His₆, maltose binding protein (MBP), an influenza virushemagglutinin tag polypeptide, a flag tag polypeptide (FLAG), and aglutathione-5-transferase (GST) tag polypeptide. However, the inventionshould in no way be construed to be limited to the nucleic acidsencoding the above-listed tag peptides. Rather, any nucleic acidsequence encoding a peptide which may function in a manner substantiallysimilar to these tag peptides should be construed to be included in thepresent invention.

The nucleic acid comprising a nucleic acid encoding a tag peptide can beused to localize a peptide of the present invention within a cell, atissue, and/or a whole organism (e.g., a mammalian embryo), detect apeptide of the present invention secreted from a cell, and to study therole(s) of the peptide in a cell. Further, addition of a tag peptidefacilitates isolation and purification of the “tagged” peptide such thatthe peptides of the invention can be produced and purified readily.

The invention includes the following preferred isolated peptides: G-CSF,IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, Factor VII, Factor IX, FSH, EPO, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma,A-1-PI, glucocerebrosidase, TPA, IL-2, Factor VIII, chimeric TNFR,urokinase, chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, chimeric anti-HER2,chimeric anti-RSV, chimeric anti-CD20, DNase, chimeric anti-TNF, humaninsulin, HBsAg, and HGH.

The present invention should also be construed to encompass“derivatives,” “mutants”, and “variants” of the peptides of theinvention (or of the DNA encoding the same) which derivatives, mutants,and variants are peptides which are altered in one or more amino acids(or, when referring to the nucleotide sequence encoding the same, arealtered in one or more base pairs) such that the resulting peptide (orDNA) is not identical to the sequences recited herein, but has the samebiological property as the peptides disclosed herein, in that thepeptide has biological/biochemical properties of G-CSF, IFN-alpha,IFN-beta, Factor VII, Factor IX, FSH, EPO, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, A-1-PI,glucocerebrosidase, TPA, IL-2, Factor VIII, chimeric TNFR, urokinase,chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, chimeric anti-HER2, chimericanti-RSV, chimeric anti-CD20, DNase, chimeric anti-TNF, human insulin,HBsAg, and HGH.

Further included are fragments of peptides that retain the desiredbiological activity of the peptide irrespective of the length of thepeptide. It is well within the skill of the artisan to isolate smallerthan full length forms of any of the peptides useful in the invention,and to determine, using the assays provided herein, which isolatedfragments retain a desired biological activity and are therefore usefulpeptides in the invention.

A biological property of a protein of the present invention should beconstrued to include, but not be limited to include the ability of thepeptide to function in the biological assay and environments describedherein, such as reduction of inflammation, elicitation of an immuneresponse, blood-clotting, increased hematopoietic output, proteaseinhibition, immune system modulation, binding an antigen, growth,alleviation of treatment of a disease, DNA cleavage, and the like.

A. G-CSF

The present invention encompasses a method for the modification of theglycan structure on G-CSF. G-CSF is well known in the art as a cytokineproduced by activated T-cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, andstromal fibroblasts. G-CSF primarily acts on the bone marrow to increasethe production of inflammatory leukocytes, and further functions as anendocrine hormone to initiate the replenishment of neutrophils consumedduring inflammatory functions. G-CSF also has clinical applications inbone marrow replacement following chemotherapy.

While G-CSF has been shown to be an important and useful compound fortherapeutic applications in mammals, especially humans, present methodsfor the production of G-CSF from recombinant cells results in a producthaving a relatively short biological life, an inaccurate glycosylationpattern that could potentially lead to immunogenicity, loss of function,and an increased need for both larger and more frequent doses in orderto achieve the same effect, and the like.

G-CSF has been isolated and cloned, the nucleic acid and amino acidsequences of which are presented as SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2,respectively (FIGS. 52A and 52B, respectively). The present inventionencompasses a method for modifying G-CSF, particularly as it relates tothe ability of G-CSF to function as a potent and functional biologicalmolecule. The skilled artisan, when equipped with the present disclosureand the teachings herein, will readily understand that the presentinvention provides compositions and methods for the modification ofG-CSF.

The present invention further encompasses G-CSF variants, as well knownin the art. As an example, but in no way meant to be limiting to thepresent invention, a G-CSF variant has been described in U.S. Pat. No.6,166,183, in which a G-CSF comprising the natural complement of lysineresidues and further bound to one or two polyethylene glycol moleculesis described. Additionally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,004,548, 5,580,755,5,582,823, and 5,676,941 describe a G-CSF variant in which one or moreof the cysteine residues at position 17, 36, 42, 64, and 74 are replacedby alanine or alternatively serine. U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,195 describes aG-CSF molecule in which the cysteine at position 17, the aspartic acidat position 27, and the serines at positions 65 and 66 are substitutedwith serine, serine, proline, and proline, respectively. Other variantsare well known in the art, and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,399,345.

The expression and activity of a modified G-CSF molecule of the presentinvention can be assayed using methods well known in the art, and asdescribed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,643. As an example,activity can be measured using radio-labeled thymidine uptake assays.Briefly, human bone marrow from healthy donors is subjected to a densitycut with Ficoll-Hypaque (1.077 g/ml, Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) andlow density cells are suspended in Iscove's medium (GIBCO, La Jolla,Calif.) containing 10% fetal bovine serum, glutamine and antibiotics.About 2×10⁴ human bone marrow cells are incubated with either controlmedium or the G-CSF or the present invention in 96-well flat bottomplates at about 37° C. in 5% CO₂ in air for about 2 days. Cultures arethen pulsed for about 4 hours with 0.5 μCi/well of ³H-thymidine (NewEngland Nuclear, Boston, Mass.) and uptake is measured as described in,for example, Ventua, et al. (1983, Blood 61:781). An increase in³H-thymidine incorporation into human bone marrow cells as compared tobone marrow cells treated with a control compound is an indication of aactive and viable G-CSF compound.

B. IFN Alpha and IFN Beta

The present invention further encompasses a method for the remodelingand modification of IFN alpha and IFN beta. IFN alpha is part of afamily of approximately twenty peptides of approximately 18 kDa inweight. IFN alpha and IFN beta, collectively known as the Type Iinterferons, bind to the same cellular receptor and elicit similarresponses. Type I IFNs inhibit viral replication, increase the lyticpotential of NK cells, modulate MFC molecule expression, and inhibitcellular proliferation, among other things. Type I IFN has been used asa therapy for viral infections, particularly hepatitis viruses, and as atherapy for multiple sclerosis.

Current compositions of Type I IFN are, as described above, usefulcompounds for both the modulation of aberrant immunological responsesand as a therapy for a variety of diseases. However, they are hamperedby decreased potency and function, and a limited half-life in the bodyas compared to natural cytokines comprising the natural complement ofglycosylation.

The prototype nucleotide and amino acid sequence for IFN alpha is setforth herein as SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:4, respectively (FIGS. 53A and53B, respectively). IFN beta comprises a single gene product ofapproximately 20 kDa, the nucleic acid and amino acid sequence of whichare presented herein as SEQ ID NO:5 and SEQ ID NO:6 (FIGS. 54A and 54B,respectively). The present invention is not limited to the nucleotideand amino acid sequences herein. One of skill in the art will readilyappreciate that many variants of IFN alpha exist both naturally and asengineered derivatives. Similarly, IFN beta has been modified inattempts to achieve a more beneficial therapeutic profile. Examples ofmodified Type I IFNs are well known in the art (see Table 8), and aredescribed in, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,006, in which cysteine-60is substituted for tyrosine, U. S. Pat. Nos. 4,737,462, 4,588,585,5,545,723, and 6,127,332 where an IFN beta with a substitution of avariety of amino acids is described. Additionally, U.S. Pat. Nos.4,966,843, 5,376,567, 5,795,779 describe IFN alpha-61 and IFN-alpha-76.U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,748,233 and 4,695,543 describe IFN alpha gx-1, whereasU.S. Pat. No. 4,975,276 describes IFN alpha-54. In addition, U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,695,623, 4,897,471, 5,661,009, and 5,541,293 all describe aconsensus IFN alpha sequence to represent all variants known at the dateof filing. While this list of Type I IFNs and variants thereof is in noway meant to be exhaustive, one of skill in the art will readilyunderstand that the present invention encompasses IFN beta and IFN alphamolecules, derivatives, and variants known or to be discovered in thefuture.

TABLE 8 Interferon-α Isoforms. α type AA characteristic 1a A¹¹⁴ 1b V¹¹⁴2a K²³-H³⁴ 2b R²³-H³⁴ 2c R²³-R³⁴ 4a A⁵¹-E¹¹⁴ 4b T⁵¹-V¹¹⁴ 7aM¹³²-K¹⁵⁹-R¹⁶¹ 7b M¹³²-Q¹⁵⁹-R¹⁶¹ 7c T¹³²-K¹⁵⁹-G¹⁶¹ 8aV⁹⁸-L⁹⁹-C¹⁰⁰-D¹⁰¹-R¹⁶¹ 8b S⁹⁸-C⁹⁹-V¹⁰⁰-M¹⁰¹-R¹⁶¹ 8cS⁹⁸-C⁹⁹-V¹⁰⁰-M¹⁰¹-D¹⁶¹Δ(162–166) 10a S⁸-L⁸⁹ 10b T⁸-I¹⁸⁹ 14aF¹⁵²-Q¹⁵⁹-R¹⁶¹ 14b F¹⁵²-K¹⁵⁹-G¹⁶¹ 14c L¹⁵²-Q¹⁵⁹-R¹⁶¹ 17a P³⁴-S⁵⁵-I¹⁶¹17b H³⁴-S⁵⁵-I¹⁶¹ 17c H³⁴-S⁵⁵-R¹⁶¹ 17d H³⁴-P⁵⁵-R¹⁶¹ 21a M⁹⁶ 21b L⁹⁶

Methods of expressing IFN in recombinant cells are well known in theart, and is easily accomplished using techniques described in, forexample U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,843, and in Sambrook et al. (2001, MolecularCloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NewYork) and Ausubel et al. (1997, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology,Green & Wiley, New York).

Assays to determine the biological activity of a Type I IFN modified bythe present invention will be well known to the skilled artisan. Forexample, the assay described in Rubinstein et al., (1981, Journal ofVirology 37:755-758) is commonly used to determine the effect of an TypeI IFN by measuring the cytopathic effects of viral infection on apopulation of cells. This method is only one of many known in the artfor assaying the biological function of a Type IFN.

C. Factor VIIa

The present invention further encompasses a method for the remodelingand modification of Factor VII. The blood coagulation pathway is acomplex reaction comprising many events. An intermediate event in thispathway is Factor VII, a proenzyme that participates in the extrinsicpathway of blood coagulation by converting (upon its activation toFactor VIIa) Factor X to Xa in the presence of tissue factor and calciumions. Factor Xa in turn then converts prothrombin to thrombin in thepresence of Factor Va, calcium ions and phospholipid. The activation ofFactor X to Factor Xa is an event shared by both the intrinsic andextrinsic blood coagulation pathways, and therefore, Factor VIIa can beused for the treatment of patients with deficiencies or inhibitors ofFactor VIII. There is also evidence to suggest that Factor VIIa mayparticipate in the intrinsic pathway as well therefore increasing theprominence and importance of the role of Factor VII in bloodcoagulation.

Factor VII is a single-chain glycoprotein with a molecular weight ofapproximately 50 kDa. In this form, the factor circulates in the bloodas an inactive zymogen. Activation of Factor VII to VIIa may becatalyzed by several different plasma proteases, such as Factor XIIa.Activation of Factor VII results in the formation of a heavy chain and alight chain held together by at least one disulfide bond. Further,modified Factor VII molecules that cannot be converted to Factor VIIahave been described, and are useful as anti-coagulation remedies, suchas in the case of blood clots, thrombosis, and the like. Given theimportance of Factor VII in the blood coagulation pathway, and its useas a treatment for both increased and decreased levels of coagulation,it follows that a molecule that has a longer biological half-life,increased potency, and in general, a therapeutic profile more similar towild-type Factor VII as it is synthesized and secreted in the healthyhuman would be beneficial and useful as a treatment for bloodcoagulation disorders.

Factor VII has been cloned and sequenced, and the nucleic acid and aminoacid sequences are presented herein as SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:8(FIGS. 55A and 55B, respectively). The present invention should in noway be construed as limited to the Factor VII nucleic acid and aminoacid sequences set forth herein. Variants of Factor VII are describedin, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,784,950 and 5,580,560, in whichlysine-38, lysine-32, arginine-290, arginine-341, isoleucine-42,tyrosine-278, and tyrosine-332 is replaced by a variety of amino acids.Further, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,861,374, 6,039,944, 5,833,982, 5,788,965,6,183,743, 5,997,864, and 5,817,788 describe Factor VII variants thatare not cleaved to form Factor VIIa. The skilled artisan will recognizethat the blood coagulation pathway and the role of Factor VII thereinare well known, and therefore many variants, both naturally occurringand engineered, as described above, are included in the presentinvention.

Methods for the expression and to determine the activity of Factor VIIare well known in the art, and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat.No. 4,784,950. Briefly, expression of Factor VII, or variants thereof,can be accomplished in a variety of both prokaryotic and eukaryoticsystems, including E. coli, CHO cells, BHK cells, insect cells using abaculovirus expression system, all of which are well known in the art.

Assays for the activity of a modified Factor VII prepared according tothe methods of the present invention can be accomplished using methodswell known in the art. As a non-limiting example, Quick et al.(Hemorragic Disease and Thrombosis, 2nd ed., Leat Febiger, Philadelphia,1966), describes a one-stage clotting assay useful for determining thebiological activity of a Factor VII molecule prepared according to themethods of the present invention.

D. Factor IX

The present invention further encompasses a method for remodeling and/ormodifying Factor IX. As described above, Factor IX is vital in the bloodcoagulation cascade. A deficiency of Factor IX in the body characterizesa type of hemophilia (type B). Treatment of this disease is usuallylimited to intravenous tranfusion of human plasma protein concentratesof Factor IX. However, in addition to the practical disadvantages oftime and expense, transfusion of blood concentrates involves the risk oftransmission of viral hepatitis, acquired immune deficiency syndrome orthromboembolic diseases to the recipient.

While Factor IX has demonstrated itself as an important and usefulcompound for therapeutic applications, present methods for theproduction of Factor IX from recombinant cells (U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,999)results in a product with a rather short biological life, an inaccurateglycosylation pattern that could potentially lead to immunogenicity,loss of function, an increased need for both larger and more frequentdoses in order to achieve the same effect, and the like.

The nucleic and amino acid sequences of Factor IX is set forth herein asSEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:10 (FIGS. 56A and 56B, respectively). Thepresent invention is in no way limited to the sequences set forthherein. Factor IX variants are well known in the art, as described in,for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,770,999, 5,521,070 in which a tyrosine isreplaced by an alanine in the first position, U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,452,in which Factor XI is bound to an alkylene oxide group, and U.S. Pat.No. 6,046,380, in which the DNA encoding Factor IX is modified in atleast one splice site. As demonstrated herein, variants of Factor IX arewell known in the art, and the present disclosure encompasses thosevariants known or to be developed or discovered in the future.

Methods for determining the activity of a modified Factor IX preparedaccording to the methods of the present invention can be carried outusing the methods described above, or additionally, using methods wellknown in the art, such as a one stage activated partial thromboplastintime assay as described in, for example, Biggs (1972, Human BloodCoagulation Haemostasis and Thrombosis (Ed. 1), Oxford, Blackwell,Scientific, pg. 614). Briefly, to assay the biological activity of aFactor IX molecule developed according to the methods of the presentinvention, the assay can be performed with equal volumes of activatedpartial thromboplastin reagent, Factor IX deficient plasma isolated froma patient with hemophilia B using sterile phlebotomy techniques wellknown in the art, and normal pooled plasma as standard, or the sample.In this assay, one unit of activity is defined as that amount present inone milliliter of normal pooled plasma. Further, an assay for biologicalactivity based on the ability of Factor IX to reduce the clotting timeof plasma from Factor IX-deficient patients to normal can be performedas described in, for example, Proctor and Rapaport (1961, Amer. J. Clin.Path. 36: 212).

E. FSH

The present invention further includes a method for remodeling and/ormodifying FSH. Human reproductive function is controlled in part by afamily of heterodimeric human glycoprotein hormones which have a common92 amino acid glycoprotein alpha subunit, but differ in theirhormone-specific beta subunits. The family includes follicle-stimulatinghormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyrotropin orthyroid-stimulating hormone (ASH), and human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG). Human FSH and LH are used therapeutically to regulate variousaspects of metabolism pertinent to reproduction in the human female. Forexample, FSH partially purified from urine is used clinically tostimulate follicular maturation in anovulatory women with anovulatorysyndrome or luteal phase deficiency. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSHare used in combination to stimulate the development of ovarianfollicles for in vitro fertilization. The role of FSH in thereproductive cycle is sufficiently well-known to permit therapeutic use,but difficulties have been encountered due, in part, to theheterogeneity and impurity of the preparation from native sources. Thisheterogeneity is due to variations in glycosylation pattern.

FSH is a valuable tool in both in vitro fertilization and stimulation offertilization in vivo, but as stated above, its clinical efficacy hasbeen hampered by inconsistency in glycosylation of the protein. Ittherefore seems apparent that a method for remodeling FSH will be ofgreat benefit to the reproductive sciences.

FSH has been cloned-and sequenced, the nucleic and amino acid sequencesof which are presented herein as SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12,respectively (alpha subunit) and SEQ ID NO:13 and SEQ ID NO:14,respectively (beta subunit) (FIGS. 57A and 57B, respectively). Theskilled artisan will readily appreciate that the present invention isnot limited to the sequences depicted herein, as variants of FSH arewell known in the art. As a non-limiting example, U.S. Pat. No.5,639,640 describes the beta subunit comprising two different amino acidsequences and U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,835 describes a beta subunitcomprising an additional amino acid sequence of approximatelytwenty-seven amino acids derived from the beta subunit of humanchorionic gonadotropin. Therefore, the present invention comprises FSHvariants, both natural and engineered by the human hand, all well knownin the art.

Methods to express FSH in cells, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, arewell known in the art and abundantly described in the literature (U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,840,896, 4,923,805, 5,156,957). Further, methods forevaluating the biological activity of a remodeled FSH molecule of thepresent invention are well known in the art, and are described in, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,402, in which methods for determining theeffect of FSH on fertility, egg production, and pregnancy rates isdescribed in both non-human primates and human subjects.

F. EPO

The present invention further comprises a method of remodeling and/ormodifying EPO. EPO is an acidic glycoprotein of approximately 34 kDa andmay occur in three natural forms: alpha, beta, and asialo. The alpha andbeta forms differ slightly in carbohydrate components but have the samepotency, biological activity and molecular weight. The asialo form is analpha or beta form with the terminal sialic acid removed. EPO is presentin very low concentrations in plasma when the body is in a healthy statewherein tissues receive sufficient oxygenation from the existing numberof erythrocytes. This normal concentration is enough to stimulatereplacement of red blood cells which are lost normally through aging.The amount of erythropoietin in the circulation is increased underconditions of hypoxia when oxygen transport by blood cells in thecirculation is reduced. Hypoxia may be caused by loss of large amountsof blood through hemorrhage, destruction of red blood cells byover-exposure to radiation, reduction in oxygen intake due to highaltitudes or prolonged unconsciousness, or various forms of anemia.Therefore EPO is a useful compound for replenishing red blood cellsafter radiation therapy, anemia, and other life-threatening conditions.

In light of the importance of EPO in aiding in the recovery from avariety of diseases and disorders, the present invention is useful forthe production of EPO with a natural, and therefore more effectivesaccharide component. EPO, as it is currently synthesized, lacks thefull glycosylation complement, and must therefore be administered morefrequently and in higher doses due to its short life in the body.

EPO has been cloned and sequenced, and the nucleotide and amino acidsequences are present herein as SEQ ID NO:15 and SEQ ID NO:16,respectively (FIGS. 58A and 58B, respectively). It will be readilyunderstood by one of skill in the art that the sequences set forthherein are only an example of the sequences encoding and comprising EPO.As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,564 describes a fusion proteincomprising the amino acid sequence of two or more EPO peptides, U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,048,971 and 5,614,184 describe mutant EPO molecules havingamino acid substitutions at positions 101, 103, 104, and 108. U.S. Pat.No. 5,106,954 describes a truncated EPO molecule, and U.S. Pat. No.5,888,772 describes an EPO analog with substitutions at position 33,139, and 166. Therefore, the skilled artisan will realize that thepresent invention encompasses EPO and EPO derivatives and variants asare well documented in the literature and art as a whole.

Additionally, methods of expressing EPO in a cell are well known in theart. As exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,703,008, 5,688,679, and6,376,218, among others, EPO can be expressed in prokaryotic andeukaryotic expression systems. Methods for assaying the biologicalactivity of EPO are equally well known in the art. As an example, theKrystal assay (Krystal, 1983, Exp. Hematol. 11:649-660) can be employedto determine the activity of EPO prepared according to the methods ofthe present invention. Briefly, the assay measures the effect oferythropoietin on intact mouse spleen cells. Mice are treated withphenylhydrazine to stimulate production of erythropoietin-responsive redblood cell progenitor cells. After treatment, the spleens are removed,intact spleen cells are isolated and incubated with various amounts ofwild-type erythropoietin or the erythropoietin proteins describedherein. After an overnight incubation,³H-thymidine is added and itsincorporation into cellular DNA is measured. The amount of ³H-thyridineincorporation is indicative of erythropoietin-stimulated production ofred blood cells via interaction of erythropoietin with its cellularreceptor. The concentration of the erythropoietin protein of the presentinvention, as well as the concentration of wild-type erythropoietin, isquantified by competitive radioimmunoassay methods well known in theart. Specific activities are calculated as international units measuredin the Krystal assay divided by micrograms as measured asimmunoprecipitable protein by radioimmunoassay.

G. GM-CSF

The present invention encompasses a method for the modification ofGM-CSF. GM-CSF is well known in the art as a cytokine produced byactivated T-cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, and stromalfibroblasts. GM-CSF primarily acts on the bone marrow to increase theproduction of inflammatory leukocytes, and further functions as anendocrine hormone to initiate the replenishment of neutrophils consumedduring inflammatory functions. Further GM-CSF is a macrophage-activatingfactor and promotes the differentiation of Lagerhans cells intodendritic cells. Like G-CSF, GM-CSF also has clinical applications inbone marrow replacement following chemotherapy.

While G-CSF has demonstrated itself as an important and useful compoundfor therapeutic applications, present methods for the production ofG-CSF from recombinant cells results in a product with a rather shortbiological life, an inaccurate glycosylation pattern that couldpotentially lead to immunogenicity, loss of function, an increased needfor both larger and more frequent doses in order to achieve the sameeffect, and the like.

GM-CSF has been isolated and cloned, the nucleic acid and amino acidsequences of which are presented as SEQ ID NO:17 and SEQ ID NO:18,respectively (FIGS. 59A and 59B, respectively). The present inventionencompasses a method for modifying GM-CSF, particularly as it relates tothe ability of GM-CSF to function as a potent and functional biologicalmolecule. The skilled artisan, when equipped with the present disclosureand the teachings herein, will readily understand that the presentinvention provides compositions and methods for the modification ofGM-CSF.

The present invention further encompasses GM-CSF variants, as well knownin the art. As an example, but in no way meant to be limiting to thepresent invention, a GM-CSF variant has been described in WO 86/06358,where the protein is modified for an alternative quaternary structure.Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,557 describes a GM-CSF nucleic acidsequence ligated into the genome of a herpesvirus for gene therapyapplications. Additionally, European Patent Publication No. 0288809(corresponding to PCT Patent Publication No. WO 87/02060) reports afusion protein comprising IL-2 and GM-CSF. The IL-2 sequence can be ateither the N- or C-terminal end of the GM-CSF such that after acidcleavage of the fusion protein, GM-CSF having either N- or C-terminalsequence modifications can be generated. Therefore, GM-CSF derivatives,mutants, and variants are well known in the art, and are encompassedwithin the methods of the present invention.

The expression and activity of a modified GM-CSF molecule of the presentinvention can be assayed using methods well known in the art, and asdescribed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,643. As an example,activity can be measured using radio-labeled thymidine uptake assays.Briefly, human bone marrow from healthy donors is subjected to a densitycut with Ficoll-Hypaque (1.077 g/ml, Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) andlow density cells are suspended in Iscove's medium (GIBCO, La Jolla,Calif.) containing 10% fetal bovine serum, glutamine and antibiotics.About 2×10⁴ human bone marrow cells are incubated with either controlmedium or the GM-CSF or the present invention in 96-well flat bottomplates at about 37° C. in 5% CO₂ in air for about 2 days. Cultures arethen pulsed for about 4 hours with 0.5 μCi/well of ³H-thymidine (NewEngland Nuclear, Boston, Mass.) and uptake is measured as described in,for example, Ventua, et al. (1983, Blood 61:781). An increase in³H-thymidine incorporation into human bone marrow cells as compared tobone marrow cells treated with a control compound is an indication of aactive and viable GM-CSF compound.

H. IFN-Gamma

It is an object of the present invention to encompass a method ofmodifying and/or remodeling IFN-gamma. IFN-gamma, otherwise known asType II interferon, in contrast to IFN alpha and IFN beta, is ahomodimeric glycoprotein comprising two subunits of about 21-24 kDa. Thesize variation is due to variable glycosylation patterns, usually notreplicated when reproduced recombinantly in various expression systemsknown in the art. IFN-gamma is a potent activator of macrophages,increases MHC class I molecule expression, and to a lesser extent, a MICclass II molecule stimulatory agent. Further, IFN-gamma promotes T-celldifferentiation and isotype switching in B-cells. IFN-gamma is also welldocumented as a stimulator of neutrophils, NK cells, and antibodyresponses leading to phagocyte-mediated clearance. IFN-gamma has beenproposed as a treatment to be used in conjunction with infection byintracellular pathogens, such as tuberculosis and leishmania, and alsoas an anti-proliferative therapeutic, useful in conditions with abnormalcell proliferation as a hallmark, such as various cancers and otherneoplasias.

IFN-gamma has demonstrated potent immunological activity, but due tovariations in glycosylation from systems currently used to expressIFN-gamma, the potency, efficacy, biological half-life, and otherimportant factors of a therapeutic have been variable at best Thepresent invention encompasses methods to correct this crucial defect.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of IFN-gamma are presentedherein as SEQ ID NO:19 and SEQ ID NO:20, respectively (FIGS. 60A and60B, respectively). It will be readily understood that the sequences setforth herein are in no way limiting to the present invention. Incontrast, variants, derivatives, and mutants of IFN-gamma are well knownto the skilled artisan. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,724 describesa recombinant avian IFN-gamma and U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,191 describesC-terminus variants of human IFN-gamma. In addition, U.S. Pat. No.4,758,656 describes novel IFN-gamma derivatives, and methods ofsynthesizing them in various expression systems. Therefore, the presentinvention is not limited to the sequences of IFN-gamma disclosedelsewhere herein, but encompasses all derivatives, variants, muteins,and the like well known in the art.

Expression systems for IFN-gamma are equally well known in the art, andinclude prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, as well as plant and insectcell preparations, methods of which are known to the skilled artisan. Asan example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,656 describes a system for expressingIFN-gamma derivatives in E. coli, whereas U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,803describes an expression system employing Chinese hamster ovary cells andan SV40 promoter.

Assays for the biological activity of a remodeled IFN-gamma preparedaccording to the methods disclosed herein will be well known to one ofskill in the art. Biological assays for IFN-gamma expression can befound in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,744. Briefly, IFN-gamma isadded to cultures of CD34⁺⁺CD38⁻ cells (100 cells per well) stimulatedby cytokine combinations to induce proliferation of CD34⁺⁺CD38⁻ cells,such as IL-3, c-kit ligand and either IL-1, IL-6 or G-CSF. Cellproliferation, and generation of secondary colony forming cells will beprofoundly inhibited in a dose dependent way, with near completeinhibition occurring at 5000 U/milliliter of IFN-gamma. As aconfirmatory test to the inhibitory effect of IFN-gamma, addition ofIFN-gamma antibodies can be performed as a control.

I. Alpha-Protease Inhibitor (α-antitrysin)

The present invention further includes a method for the remodeling ofalpha-protease inhibitor (A-1-PI, α-1-antitrypsin or α-1-trypsininhibitor), also known as alpha-antitrypsin. A-1-PI is a glycoproteinhaving molecular weight of 53 kDa A-1-PI plays a role in controllingtissue destruction by endogenous serine proteases, and is the mostpronounced serine protease inhibitor in blood plasma In particular,A-1-PI inhibits various elastases including neutrophil elastase.Elastase is a protease which breaks down tissues, and can beparticularly problematic when its activity is unregulated in lungtissue. This protease functions by breaking down foreign proteins.However, when API is not present in sufficient quantities to regulateelastase activity, the elastase breaks down lung tissue. In time, thisimbalance results in chronic lung tissue damage and emphysema. In fact,a genetic deficiency of A-1-PI has been shown to be associated withpremature development of pulmonary emphysema. A-1-PI replenishment hasbeen successfully used for treatment of this form of emphysema. Further,a deficiency of A-1-PI may also contribute to the aggravation of otherdiseases such as cystic fibrosis and arthritis, where leukocytes move into the lungs or joints to fight infection.

Therefore, A-1-PI could conceivably be used to treat diseases where animbalance between inhibitor and protease(s), especially neutrophilelastase, is causing progression of a disease state. Antiviral activityhas also been attributed to A-1-PI. In light of this, it logicallyfollows that the present invention is useful for the production ofA-1-PI that is safe, effective, and potent in the ever changingatmosphere of the lungs.

A-1-PI has been cloned and sequenced, and is set forth in SEQ ID NO:21and SEQ ID NO:22 (FIGS. 61A and 61B, respectively). As is understood byone of skill in the art, natural and engineered variants of A-1-PIexist, and are encompassed in the present invention. As an example, U.S.Pat. No. 5,723,316 describes A-1-PI derivatives having amino acidsubstitutions at positions 356-361 and further comprises an N-terminalextension of approximately three amino acids. U. S. Pat. No. 5,674,708describes A-1-PI analogs with amino acid substitutions at position 358in the primary amino acid sequence. The skilled artisan will readilyrealize that the present invention encompasses A-1-PI variants,derivatives, and mutants known or to be discovered.

Methods for the expression and determination of activity of a remodeledA-1-PI produced according to the methods of the present invention arewell known in the art, and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No.5,674,708 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,316. Briefly, biological activity canbe determined using assays for antichymotrypsin activity by measuringthe inhibition of the chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of substrateN-suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide (0.1 ml of a 10 mM solution in 90%DMSO), as described in, for example, DelMar et al. (1979, Anal. Biochem.99: 316). A typical chymotrypsin assay contains, in 1.0 milliliters: 100mM Tris-Cl buffer, pH 8.3, 0.005% (v/v) Triton X-100, bovine pancreaticchymotrypsin (18 kmmol) and A-1-PI of the present invention. The assaymixture is pre-incubated at room temperature for 5 minutes, substrate(0.01 ml of a 10 mM solution in 90% DMSO) is added and remainingchymotrypsin activity is determined by the rate of change in absorbanceat 410 nm caused by the release of p-nitroaniline. Measurements ofoptical absorbance are conducted at 25° C. using a spectrophotometerfitted with a temperature controlled sample compartment.

J. Glucocerebrosidase

The invention described herein further includes a method for themodification of glucocerebrosidase. Glucocerebrosidase is a lysosomalglycoprotein enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of the glycolipidglucocerebroside to glucose and ceramide. Variants of glucocerebrosidaseare sold commercially as Cerezyme™ and Ceredase™, and is an approvedtherapeutic for the treatment of Gaucher's disease. Ceredase™ is aplacental derived form of glucocerebrosidase with complete N-linkedstructures. Cerezyme™ is a recombinant variant of glucocerebrosidasewhich is 497 amino acids in length and is expressed in CHO cells. The 4N-linked glycans of Cerezyme have been modified to terminate in thetrimannose core.

Glucocerebrosidase is presently produced in recombinant mammalian cellcultures, and therefore reflects the glycosylation patterns of thosecells, usually rodent cells such as Chinese hamster ovary cells or babyhamster kidney cells, which differ drastically from those of humanglycosylation patterns, leading to, among other things, immunogenicityand lack of potency.

The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of glucocerebrosidase are setforth herein as SEQ ID NO: 23 and 24 FIGS. 62A and 62B, respectively).However, as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the sequencesrepresented herein are prototypical sequences, and do not limit theinvention. In fact, variants of glucocerebrosidase are well known, andare described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,703 describesenhanced production of glucocerebrosidase analogs and variants thereof.Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,131 describes the cloning and sequencing ofyet another glucocerebrosidase variant. It is the intention of thepresent invention to encompass these and other derivatives, variants,and mutants known or to be discovered in the future.

Methods for the expression of glucocerebrosidase are well known in theart using standard techniques, and are described in detail in, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,703. Assays for the biological efficacy ofa glucocerebrosidase molecule prepared according to the methods of thepresent invention are similarly well known in the art, and a mouseGaucher's disease model for evaluation and use of a glucocerebrosidasetherapeutic is described in, for example, Marshall et al. (2002, Mol.Ther. 6:179).

K. TPA

The present invention further encompasses a method for the remodeling oftissue-type activator (TPA). TPA activates plasminogen to form plasminwhich dissolves fibrin, the main component of the protein substrate ofthe thrombus. TPA preparations were developed as a thrombolytic agentshaving a very high selectivity toward the thrombus in the thrombolytictreatment for thrombosis which causes myocardial infarction and cerebralinfarction.

Further, various modified TPA's have been produced by geneticengineering for the purpose of obtaining higher affinity to fibrin andlonger half-life in blood than that of natural TPA. The modified TPA'sproduced from prokaryotes are not glycosylated unlike the natural TPA.TPA's are proteins that are generally extremely difficult to solubilizein water. In particular, the modified TPA's are more difficult tosolubilize in water than natural IIA, making very difficult thepreparation of modified TPA's. Modified TPA's are thus difficult todissolve in water at the time of the administration to a patient.However, the modified IIPA's have various advantages, such as increasedaffinity for fibrin and longer half-life in blood. It is the object ofthe present invention to increase the solubility of modified TPA's.

The nucleic and amino acid sequences of TPA are set forth herein as SEQID NO:25 and SEQ ID NO:26, respectively (FIGS. 63A and 63B,respectively). As described above, variants of TPA have been constructedand used in therapeutic applications. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,770,425 described TPA variants in which some of all of the fibrindomain has been deleted. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,134 describes TPAin which modifications to the amino acid at position 276 are disclosed.The skilled artisan, when equipped with the present disclosure and theteachings herein, will readily realize that the present inventioncomprises the TPA sequences set forth herein, as well as those variantswell known to one versed in the literature.

The expression of TPA from a nucleic acid sequence encoding the same iswell known in the art, and is described, in detail, in, for example,U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,486. Assays for determining the biologicalproperties of a TPA molecule prepared according to the methods of thepresent invention are similarly well known in the art. Briefly, a TPAmolecule synthesized as disclosed elsewhere herein can be assayed fortheir ability to lyse fibrin in the presence of saturatingconcentrations of plasminogen, according to the method of Carlsen et al.(1988, Anal. Biochem. 168: 428). The in vitro clot lysis assay measuresthe activity of tissue-type activators by turbidimetry using amicrocentrifugal analyzer. A mixture of thrombin and TPA is centrifugedinto a mixture of fibrinogen and plasminogen to initiate clot formationand subsequent clot dissolution. The resultant profile of absorbanceversus time is analyzed to determine the assay endpoint. Activities ofthe TPA variants are compared to a standard curve of TPA. The bufferused throughout the assay is 0.06M sodium phosphate, pH 7.4 containing0.01% (v/v) TWEEN 80 and 0.01% (w/v) sodium azide. Human thrombin is ata concentration of about 33 units/ml. Fibrinogen (at 2.0 mg/ml clottableprotein) is chilled on wet ice to precipitate fibronectin and thengravity filtered. Glu-plasminogen is at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. Theanalyzer chamber temperature is set at 37° C. The loader is set todispense 20 microliters of TPA (about 500 nanograms/milliliter to about1.5 micrograms per milliliter) as the sample for the standard curve, or20 microliters of variant TPAs at a concentration to cause lysis withinthe range of the standard curve. Twenty microliters of thrombin as thesecondary reagent, and 200 microliters of a 50:1 (v/v) fibrinogen:plasminogen mixture as the primary reagent. The absorbance/time programis used with a 5 min incubation time, 340-nanometer-filter and 90 secondinterval readings.

L. IL-2

The present invention further encompasses a method for the remodelingand modification of IL-2. IL-2 is the main growth factor of Tlymphocytes and increases the humoral and cellular immune responses bystimulating cytotoxic CD8 T cells and NK cells. IL-2 is thereforecrucial in the defense mechanisms against tumors and viral infections.IL-2 is also used in therapy against metastatic melanoma and renaladenocarcinoma, and has been used in clinical trials in many forms ofcancer. Further, IL-2 has also been used in HIV infected patients whereit leads to a significant increase in CD4 counts.

Given the success IL-2 has demonstrated in the management and treatmentof life-threatening diseases such as various cancers and AIDS, itfollows that the methods of the present invention would be useful fordeveloping an IL-2 molecule that has a longer biological half-life,increased potency, and in general, a therapeutic profile more similar towild-type IL-2 as it is synthesized secreted in the healthy human.

IL-2 has been cloned and sequenced, and the nucleic acid and amino acidsequences are presented herein as SEQ ID NO:27 and SEQ ID NO:28 (FIGS.64A and 64B, respectively). The present invention should in no way beconstrued as limited to the IL-2 nucleic acid and amino acid sequencesset forth herein. Variants of IL-2 are described in, for example, U.S.Pat. No. 6,348,193, in which the asparagine at position 88 issubstituted for arginine, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,344, in which apolymer comprising IL-2 variants with various amino acid substitutionsis described. The present invention encompasses these IL-2 variants andothers well known in the art.

Methods for the expression and to determine the activity of IL-2 arewell known in the art, and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No.5,417,970. Briefly, expression of IL-2, or variants thereof, can beaccomplished in a variety of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems,including E. coli, CHO cells, BHK cells, insect cells using abaculovirus expression system, all of which are well known in the art.

Assays for the activity of a modified IL-2 prepared according to themethods of the present invention can proceed as follows. Peripheralblood lymphocytes can be separated from the erythrocytes andgranulocytes by centrifuging on a Ficoll-Hypaque (Pharmacia, Piscataway,N.J.) gradient by the method described in, for example, A. Boyum et al.(Methods in Enzymology, 1984, Vol. 108, page 88, Academic Press, Inc.).Lymphocytes are subsequently washed about three times in culture mediumconsisted of RPMI 1640 (Gibco-BRL, La Jolla, Calif.) plus 10% AB humanserum (CTS Purpan, Toulouse, France) inactivated by heat (1 hour at 56°C.), 2 mM sodium pyruvate, 5 mM HEPES, 4 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/mlpenicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin and 0.25 μg/ml amphotericin B(complete medium). Adhesive cells (monocytes and macrophages) areeliminated by adhesion to plastic and the remainder of the cells aresuspended in complete medium at a concentration of about 5 to 10×10⁵cells per milliliter and seeded in culture flasks at a density of about1-2×10⁵ cells per square centimeter. Flasks are then incubated at 37° C.in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere for about 1 hour, after which the non-adhesivelymphocytes are recovered by aspiration after gentle agitation of theculture flasks.

Non-adhesive lymphocytes are washed once and cultivated at aconcentration of about 10⁵ cells per milliliter in complete medium inthe presence of the IL-2 of the present invention for about 48 hours inan incubator as described above. The cells are then washed once.

The cytotoxic activity of the cells is evaluated after about 4 hours ofcontact with target cells of the human T lymphoid line C8166-45/C63 (HT1cells) resistant to NK cell cytotoxicity, as described by Salahuddin etal. (1983, Virology 129: 51-64; 1984, Science: 223, 703-707). 6×10⁵ HT1cells are radio-tagged with about 200 μCi of ⁵¹Cr (sodium chromate,Amersham, Arlington Heights, Ill.) at 37° C. for about 1 hour incomplete medium without serum, and then washed several times. The targetcells and effective cells are distributed in round-bottomedmicrotitration plates with varying ratios of effective cells to targetcells (50:1, 10:1, 1:1). The microtitration plates are centrifuged and,after incubation as described above, the supernatant from each well isrecovered and the radioactivity is measured using a gamma counter.Cytotoxicity is determined from the quantity of ⁵¹Cr released by deadtarget cells. Non-specific cytotoxicity is determined from the amount ofradioactivity spontaneously released from the target cells in theabsence of effective cells.

The present method is just one of many well known in the art formeasuring the cytotoxicity of effector cells, and is should not beconstrued as limiting to the present invention.

M. Factor VIII

The invention further encompasses a method for the remodeling andmodification of Factor VIII. As described earlier for Factor VII andFactor IX, Factor VII is a critical component of the blood coagulationpathway. Human Factor VIII, (antihemophilic factor; FVIII:C) is a humanplasma protein consisting of 2 peptides (light chain molecular weight of80 kDa and heavy chain molecular weight variable from 90 to 220 kDa,depending on glycosylation state). It is an essential cofactor in thecoagulation pathway and is required for the conversion of Factor X intoits active form (Factor Xa). Factor VIII circulates in plasma as anon-covalent complex with von Willibrand Factor (aka FVII:RP), a dimerof a 2050 aa peptide (See, U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,032). Bloodconcentrations of Factor VIII below 20% of normal cause a bleedingdisorder designated hemophilia A. Factor VIII blood levels less than 1%result in a severe bleeding disorder, with spontaneous joint bleedingbeing the most common symptom.

Similar to other blood coagulation factors, Factor VIII is a therapeuticwith a great deal of potential for the treatment of various bleedingdisorders, such as hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Due to theglycosylation of the heavy chain, current methods for the preparation ofFactor VIE from recombinant cells results in a product that is not aseffective as natural Factor VIII. Purification methods from human plasmaresult in a crude composition that is less effective and more difficultto prepare than recombinant Factor VIII. The current invention seeks toimprove this situation.

The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of Factor VIII are presentedherein as SEQ ID NO:29 and SEQ ID NO:30, respectively (FIGS. 65A and65B, respectively). The art is rife with variants of Factor VIII, asdescribed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,108, in which theaspartic acid at position 1241 is replaced by a glutamic acid with theaccompanying nucleic acid changes as well. U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,637describes a Factor VIII variants comprising the C-terminal fraction,either glycosylated or unglycosylated, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,008describes a Factor VIII variant comprising amino acids 1-740 linked toamino acids 1649 to 2332 by at least 3 amino acid residues. Therefore,variants, derivatives, modifications and complexes of Factor VIII arewell known in the art, and are encompassed in the present invention.

Expression systems for the production of Factor VIII are well known inthe art, and include prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as exemplified inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,633,150, 5,804,420, and 5,422,250.

To determine the biological activity of a Factor VIII moleculesynthesized according the methods of the present invention, the skilledartisan will recognize that the assays described herein for theevaluation of Factor VII and Factor IX are applicable to Factor VIII.

N. Urokinase

The present invention also includes a method for the remodeling and/ormodification of urokinase. Urokinase is a serine protease whichactivates plasminogen to plasmin. The protein is synthesized in avariety of tissues including endothelium and kidney, and is excreted intrace amounts into urine. Purified urokinase exists in two active forms,a high molecular weight form (HUK; approximately 50 kDa) and a lowmolecular weight form (LUK; approximately 30 kDa). LUK has been shown tobe derived from HUK by a proteolysis after lysine 135, releasing thefirst 135 amino acids from HUK. Conventional wisdom has held that HUK orLUK must be converted to proteolytically active forms by the proteolytichydrolysis of a single chain precursor, also termed prourokinase,between lysine 158 and isoleucine 159 to generate a two-chain activatedform (which continues to correspond to either HUK or LUK). Theproteolytically active urokinase species resulting from this hydrolyticclip contains two amino acid chains held together by a single disulfidebond. The two chains formed by the activation clip are termed the A orA₁ chains (HUK or LUK, respectively), and the B chain comprising theprotease domain of the molecule.

Urokinase has been shown to be an effective thrombolytic agent. However,since it is produced naturally in trace quantities the cost of theenzyme is high for an effective dosage. Urokiaase has been produced inrecombinant cell culture, and DNA encoding urokinase is known togetherwith suitable vectors and host microorganisms. Present compositionscomprising urokinase and methods for producing urokinase recombinantlyare hampered by a product that has deficient glycosylation patterns, andgiven the complex proteolytic cleavage events surrounding the activationof urokinase, this aberrant glycosylation leads to a less effective andless potent product.

The sequence of the nucleotides encoding the primary amino acid chain ofurokinase are depicted in SEQ ID NO:33 and SEQ ID NO:34 (FIGS. 66A and66B, respectively). Variants of urokinase are well known in the art, andtherefore the present invention is not limited to the sequences setforth herein. In fact, the skilled artisan will readily realize thaturokinase variants described in, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,219,569,5,648,253, and 4,892,826, exist as functional moieties, and aretherefore encompassed in the present invention.

The expression and evaluation of a urokinase molecule prepared accordingto the methods of the present invention are similarly well known in theart. As a non-limiting example, the expression of urolinase in varioussystems is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,569. An assay for determiningthe activity and functionality of a urokinase prepared in accordance tothe methods set forth herein are described throughout the literature,and are similar to assays for other plasminogen and fibrin relatedassays described elsewhere throughout. One example of an assay todetermine the activity of an urokinase molecule synthesized as describedherein can be as described in, for example, Ploug, et al. (1957,Biochim. Biophys. Acta 24: 278-282), using fibrin plates comprising1.25% agarose, 4.1 mg/ml human fibrinogen, 0.3 units/ml of thrombin and0.5 μg/ml of soybean trypsin inhibitor.

O. Human DNase

The present invention further encompasses a method for the remodelingand/or modification of recombinant human DNase. Human DNase I has beentested as a therapeutic agent and was shown to diminish the viscosity ofcystic fibrosis mucus in vitro. It has been determined that purulentmucus contains about 10-13 mg/ml of DNA, an ionic polymer predicted toaffect the rheologic properties of airway fluids. Accordingly, bovinepancreatic DNase I, an enzyme that degrades DNA, was tested as amucolytic agent many years ago but did not enter clinical practice,because of side effects induced by antigenicity and/or contaminatingproteases. Recombinant human DNase is currently used as a therapeuticagent to alleviate the symptoms of diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

Similar to DNase derived from bovine sources, recombinant human DNaseposes some problems, mostly due to lowered efficacy due to improperglycosylation imparted by mammalian expression systems currently in use.The present invention describes a method for remodeling DNase, leadingto increased efficacy and better therapeutic results.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of human DNAse are presentedherein as SEQ ID NO:39 and SEQ ID NO:40 (FIGS. 67A and 67B,respectively). Variants of the peptide comprising DNase are well knownin the art. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,348,343 describes a humanDNase with multiple amino acid substitutions throughout the primarystructure. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,607 describes a hyperactivevariant of DNase with multiple amino acid substitutions at positions 9,14, 74, 75, and 205. The present examples, and others well known in theart or to be discovered in the future are encompassed in the presentinvention.

Expression systems for producing a DNase peptide are well known to theskilled artisan, and have been described in prokaryotic and eukaryoticsystems. For example, PCT Patent Publication No. WO 90/07572 describesthese methods in considerable detail.

Assays to determine the biological activity of a DNase moleculedeveloped according to the methods of the present invention are wellknown in the art. As an example, but in no way meant to be limiting tothe present invention, an assay to determine the DNA-hydrolytic activityof human DNase I is presented herein. Briefly, two different plasmiddigestion assays are used. The first assay (“supercoiled DNA digestionassay”) measures the conversion of supercoiled double-stranded plasmidDNA to relaxed (nicked), linear, and degraded forms. The second assay(“linear DNA digestion assay”) measured the conversion of lineardouble-stranded plasmid DNA to degraded forms. Specifically, DNaseprepared according to the methods of the present invention is added to160 microliters of a solution comprising 25 micrograms per milliliter ofeither supercoiled plasmid DNA or EcoRI-digested linearized plasmid DNAin 25 mM HEPES, pH-7.1, 100 μg/ml bovine serum albumin, 1 mM MgCl₂, 2.5mM CaCl₂, 150 mM NaCl, and the samples are incubated at roomtemperature. At various times, aliquots of the reaction mixtures areremoved and quenched by the addition of 25 mM EDTA, together with xylenecyanol, bromophenol blue, and glycerol. The integrity of the plasmid DNAin the quenched samples is analyzed by electrophoresis of the samples onagarose gels. After electrophoresis, the gels are stained with asolution of ethidium bromide and the DNA in the gels is visualized byultraviolet light. The relative amounts of supercoiled, relaxed, andlinear forms of plasmid DNA are determined by scanning the gels with afluorescent imager (such as the Molecular Dynamics Model 575FluorImager) and quantitating the amount of DNA in the bands of the gelthat correspond to the different forms.

P. Insulin

The invention further includes a method for remodeling insulin. Insulinis well known as the most effective treatment for type I diabetes, inwhich the beta islet cells of the pancreas do not produce insulin forthe regulation of blood glucose levels. The ramifications of diabetesand uncontrolled blood glucose include circulatory and foot problems,and blindness, not to mention a variety of other complications thateither result from or are exacerbated by diabetes.

Prior to the cloning and sequencing of human insulin, porcine insulinwas used as a treatment for diabetes. Insulin is now producedrecombinantly, but the short, 51 amino acid sequence of the maturemolecule is a complex structure comprising multiple sulfide bonds.Current methods to recombinantly produce insulin result in a productthat lacks similarity to the native protein as produced in healthynon-diabetic subjects. The present invention seeks to repair this flaw.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of human insulin is portrayed inSEQ ID NO:43 and SEQ ID NO:44, respectively (FIGS. 68A and 68B,respectively). Variants of insulin are abundant throughout the art. U.S.Pat. No. 6,337,194 describes insulin fusion protein analogs, U.S. Pat.No. 6,323,311 describes insulin derivatives comprising a cyclicanhydride of a dicarboxylic acid, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,856 describesan insulin derivative comprising multiple amino acid substitutions and alipophilic group. The skilled artisan will recognize that the followingexamples of insulin derivatives are in no way exhaustive, but simplyrepresent a small sample of those well known in the art. Therefore, thepresent invention comprises insulin derivatives known or to bediscovered.

Expression systems for the production of insulin are well known in theart, and can be accomplished using molecular biology techniques asdescribed in, for example, Sambrook et al. (1989, Molecular Cloning: ALaboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York).

Assays to determine the functionality of an insulin molecule preparedaccording to the methods of the present invention are similarly wellknown in the art. For example, an in vivo model of glucose depressioncan be used to evaluate the biological activity of insulin synthesizedusing the methods of the present invention. Useful for this purpose is arat model. The animals are fasted overnight (16 hours) prior to theexperiment, and then anesthetized with intraperitoneally administeredsodium pentobarbital or another suitable anesthetic such as ketamine.Each animal receives an i.v. injection (tail vein) of the particularinsulin derivative (20 μg/ml/kg). Blood samples are taken from thejugular vein 15 and 5 minutes before injection and 15, 30,60, 90, 120,180, and 240 minutes after injection. Blood glucose levels are measuredwith a blood glucose monitor, available from a variety of commercialsuppliers.

Q. Hepatitis B Vaccines (HBsAg)

The present invention further comprises a method for the remodeling theantigen used in hepatitis B vaccines (HbsAg or Hepatitis B sAg). HBsAgis a recombinantly produced surface antigen of the hepatitis BS-protein, and is used to illicit an immune response to the hepatitis Bvirus, an increasing dangerous virus that results in, among otherthings, liver disease including cirrhosis and carcinoma, and results inover 1 million deaths worldwide annually. Currently the HBsAg vaccine isadministered three times over a six month interval to illicit aprotective and neutralizing immune response.

HBsAg is currently produced in yeast strains, and therefore reflects theglycosylation patterns native to a fungus. The present inventionprovides a method to remodel HBsAg, resulting in among other things,improved immunogenicity, antibodies with improved affinity for thevirus, and the like.

The sequences of the S-protein from a Hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) nucleicacid and primary amino acid chain are set forth herein as SEQ ID NO:45and SEQ ID NO:46 (FIGS. 69A and 69B, respectively). The nucleotide is1203 bases in length. The amino acid is 400 residues long. The last 226amino acid residues are the small S-antigen, which is used in theGlaxoSmithKline vaccine and the Merck vaccine. Fifty-five amino acidsupstream from the small S-antigen is the Pre-S start codon. The Pre-S+Sregions are the middle S antigen, which is used in the Aventis Pasteurvaccine. From the first start codon to the Pre-S start codon comprisesthe rest of the S-protein, and is called the large S-protein. This isbut one example of the HBsAg used in vaccines, and other subtypes arewell known, as exemplified in GenBankAcc Nos.: AF415222, AF415221,AF415220, and AF415219. The sequences presented herein are simplyexamples of HBsAg known in the art. Similar antigens have been isolatedfrom other strains of hepatitis B virus, and may or may not have beenevaluated for antigenicity and potential as vaccine candidates. Thepresent invention therefore encompasses hepatitis B vaccine S-proteinsurface antigens known or to be discovered.

Expression of an HBsAg in an expression system is a routine procedurefor one of skill in the art, and is described in, for example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,851,823. Assays for the immunogenicity of a vaccine are well knownin the art, and comprise various tests for the production ofneutralizing antibodies, and employ techniques such as ELISA,neutralization assays, Western blots, immunoprecipitation, and the like.Briefly, a sandwich ELISA for the detection of effective anti-HBsAgantibodies is described. The Enzygnost HBsAg assay (Aventis Belring,King of Prussia, Pa.) is used for such methods. Wells are coated withanti-HBs. Serum plasma or purified protein and appropriate controls areadded to the wells and incubated. After washing, peroxidase-labeledantibodies to HBsAg are reacted with the remaining antigenicdeterminants. The unbound enzyme-linked antibodies are removed bywashing and the enzyme activity on the solid phase is determined bymethods well known in the art. The enzymatically catalyzed reaction ofhydrogen peroxide and chromogen is stopped by adding diluted sulfuricacid. The color intensity is proportional to the HBsAg concentration ofthe sample and is obtained by photometric comparison of the colorintensity of the unknown samples with the color intensities of theaccompanying negative and positive control sera.

R. Human Growth Hormone

The present invention further encompasses a method for the remodeling ofhuman growth hormone (HIGH). The isoform of HGH which is secreted in thehuman pituitary, consists of 191 amino acids and has a molecular weightof about 21,500. The isoform of HGH which is made in the plancenta is aglycosylated form. HGH participates in much of the regulation of normalhuman growth and development, including linear growth (somatogenesis),lactation, activation of macrophages, and insulin-like and diabetogeniceffects, among others.

HGH is a complex hormone, and its effects are varied as a result ofinteractions with various cellular receptors. While compositionscomprising HGH have been used in the clinical setting, especially totreat dwarfism, the efficacy is limited by the glycosylation structureof HGH produced recombinantly.

The nucleic and amino acid sequence of HGH are set forth elsewhereherein as SEQ ID NO:47 and SEQ ID NO:48 (FIGS. 70A and 70B,respectively). The skilled artisan will recognize that variants,derivatives, and mutants of HGH are well known. Examples can be found inU.S. Pat. No. 6,143,523 where amino acid residues at positions 10, 14,18, 21, 167, 171, 174, 176 and 179 are substituted, and in U.S. Pat. No.5,962,411 describes splice variants of HGH. The present inventionencompasses these HGH variants known in the art of to be discovered.

Methods for the expression of HGH in recombinant cells is described in,for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,745. Methods for expression of HGH in,inter alia, prokaryotes, eukaryotes, insect cell systems, plants, and invitro translation systems are well known in the art.

An HGH molecule produced using the methods of the current invention canbe assayed for activity using a variety of methods known to the skilledartisan. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,024 describes a method todetermine the biological functionality of an expressed HGH.

S. Antibodies

The present invention further comprises a method for the remodeling ofvarious chimeric antibody preparations, including, chimeric INFR,chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, chimeric anti-HER2, chimericanti-RSV, chimeric anti-CD20, and chimeric anti-TNF. Chimeric antibodypreparations comprise a human Fc portion from an IgG antibody and thevariable regions from a monoclonal antibody specific for an antigen.Other preparations comprise a receptor, for example the 75 kDa TNFreceptor, fuised to a human IgG Fc portion. These molecules furtherinclude Fab fragments comprising light and heavy chains from human andmice. A chimeric TNFR is useful in the treatment of inflammatorydiseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chimeric anti-glycoproteinIIb/IIIa is useful in the treatment of cardiac abnormalities, bloodclotting, and platelet function disturbances. A chimeric anti-HER2 isuseful as a treatment for breast cancer, chimeric anti-RSV is useful forthe treatment of respiratory syncytial virus, chimeric anti-CD20 isuseful for the treatment of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and chimericanti-TNF is used for treatment of Crohn's disease.

While these chimeric antibodies have proved useful in the management ofvaried diseases, administration has to be fairly frequent and at fairlyhigh doses due to the relatively short half-life of a recombinantprotein produced in rodent cells. While a majority of the chimericantibody is human, and therefore regarded as “self” by the immunesystem, they are degraded and destroyed due to non-native glycosylationpatterns. The present invention proposes to repair this problem, greatlyincreasing the efficacy of these novel medicines.

Antibodies and Methods of their Generation

The term “antibody,” as used herein, refers to an inununoglobulinmolecule which is able to specifically bind to a specific epitope on anantigen. Antibodies can be intact immunoglobulins derived from naturalsources or from recombinant sources and can be immunoreactive portionsof intact immunoglobulins. Antibodies are typically tetrameters ofimmunoglobulin molecules. The antibodies in the present invention mayexist in a variety of forms including, for example, polyclonalantibodies, monoclonal antibodies, Fv, Fab and F(ab)₂, as well as singlechain antibodies and humanized antibodies (Harlow et al., 1999, UsingAntibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press,NY; Harlow et al., 1989, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y.; Houston et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA85:5879-5883; Bird et al., 1988, Science 242:423-426).

By the term “synthetic antibody” as used herein, is meant an antibodywhich is generated using recombinant DNA technology, such as, forexample, an antibody expressed by a bacteriophage as described herein.The term should also be construed to mean an antibody which has beengenerated by the synthesis of a DNA molecule encoding the antibody andwhich DNA molecule expresses an antibody peptide, or an amino acidsequence specifying the antibody, wherein the DNA or amino acid sequencehas been obtained using synthetic DNA or amino acid sequence technologywhich is available and well known in the art.

Monoclonal antibodies directed against full length or peptide fragmentsof a peptide or peptide may be prepared using any well known monoclonalantibody preparation procedures, such as those described, for example,in Harlow et al. (1988, In: Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y.) and in Tuszynski et al. (1988, Blood, 72:109-115).Quantities of the desired peptide may also be synthesized using chemicalsynthesis technology. Alternatively, DNA encoding the desired peptidemay be cloned and expressed from an appropriate promoter sequence incells suitable for the generation of large quantities of peptide.Monoclonal antibodies directed against the peptide are generated frommice immunized with the peptide using standard procedures as referencedherein.

Nucleic acid encoding the monoclonal antibody obtained using theprocedures described herein may be cloned and sequenced using technologywhich is available in the art, and is described, for example, in Wrightet al. (1992, Critical Rev. in Immunol. 12(3,4):125-168) and thereferences cited therein. Further, the antibody of the invention may be“humanized” using the technology described in Wright et al., (supra) andin the references cited therein, and in Gu et al. (1997, Thrombosis andHematocyst 77(4):755-759).

To generate a phage antibody library, a cDNA library is first obtainedfrom mRNA which is isolated from cells, e.g., the hybridoma, whichexpress the desired peptide to be expressed on the phage surface, e.g.,the desired antibody. cDNA copies of the mRNA are produced using reversetranscriptase. cDNA which specifies immunoglobulin fragments areobtained by PCR and the resulting DNA is cloned into a suitablebacteriophage vector to generate a bacteriophage DNA library comprisingDNA specifying immunoglobulin genes. The procedures for making abacteriophage library comprising heterologous DNA are well known in theart and are described, for example, in Sambrook and Russell (2001,Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.).

Bacteriophage which encode the desired antibody, may be engineered suchthat the peptide is displayed on the surface thereof in such a mannerthat it is available for binding to its corresponding binding peptide,e.g., the antigen against which the antibody is directed. Thus, whenbacteriophage which express a specific antibody are incubated in thepresence of a cell which expresses the corresponding antigen, thebacteriophage will bind to the cell. Bacteriophage which do not expressthe antibody will not bind to the cell. Such panning techniques are wellknown in the art and are described for example, in Wright et al.,(supra).

Processes such as those described above, have been developed for theproduction of human antibodies using M13 bacteriophage display (Burtonet al., 1994, Adv. Immunol. 57:191-280). Essentially, a cDNA library isgenerated from mRNA obtained from a population of antibody-producingcells. The mRNA encodes rearranged immunoglobulin genes and thus, thecDNA encodes the same. Amplified cDNA is cloned into M13 expressionvectors creating a library of phage which express human antibodyfragments on their surface. Phage which display the antibody of interestare selected by antigen binding and are propagated in bacteria toproduce soluble human immunoglobulin. Thus, in contrast to conventionalmonoclonal antibody synthesis, this procedure immortalizes DNA encodinghuman immunoglobulin rather than cells which express humanimmunoglobulin.

Remodeling Glycans of Antibody Molecules

The specific glycosylation of one class of peptides, namelyimmunoglobulins, has a particularly important effect on the biologicalactivity of these peptides. The invention should not be construed to belimited solely to immunoglobulins of the IgG class, but should also beconstrued to include immunoglobulins of the IgA, IgE and IgM classes ofantibodies.

Further, the invention should not be construed to be limited solely toany type of traditional antibody structure. Rather, the invention shouldbe construed to include all types of antibody molecules, including, forexample, fragments of antibodies, chimeric antibodies, human antibodies,humanized antibodies, etc.

A typical immunoglobulin molecule comprises an effector portion and anantigen binding portion. For a review of immunoglobulins, see Harlow etal., 1988, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.,and Harlow et al., 1999, Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, ColdSpring Harbor Laboratory Press, NY. The effector portion of theimmunoglobulin molecule resides in the Fc portion of the molecule and isresponsible in part for efficient binding of the immunoglobulin to itscognate cellular receptor. Improper glycosylation of immunoglobulinmolecules particularly in the CH2 domain of the Fc portion of themolecule, affects the biological activity of the immunoglobulin.

More specifically with respect to the immunoglobulin IgG, IgG effectorfunction is governed in large part by whether or not the IgG contains anN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residue attached at the 4-O position of thebranched mannose of the trimannosyl core of the N-glycan at Asparagine(Asn) 297 in the CH2 domain of the IgG molecule. This residue is knownas a “bisecting GlcNAc.” The purpose of adding bisecting GlcNAc to theN-glycan chains of a natural or recombinant IgG molecule or aIgG-Fc-containing chimeric construct is to optimize Fc immune effectorfunction of the Fc portion of the molecule. Such effector functions mayinclude antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and any otherbiological effects that require efficient binding to FcγR receptors, andbinding to the C1 component of complement. The importance of bisectingGlcNAc for achieving maximum immune effector function of IgG moleculeshas been described (Lifely et al., 1995, Glycobiology 5 (8): 813-822;Jeffris et al., 1990, Biochem. J. 268 (3): 529-537).

The glycans found at the N-glycosylation site at Asn 297 in the CH2domain of IgG molecules have been structurally characterized for IgGmolecules found circulating in human and animal blood plasma, IgGproduced by myeloma cells, hybridoma cells, and a variety of transfectedimmortalized mammalian and insect cell lines. In all cases the N-glycanis either a high mannose chain or a complete (Man3, GlcNAc4, Gal2,NeuAc2, Fuc1) or variably incomplete biantennary chain with or withoutbisecting GlcNAc (Raju et al., 2000, Glycobiology 10 (5): 477-486;Jeffris et al., 1998, Immunological. Rev. 163L59-76; Lerouge et al.,1998, Plant Mol. Biol. 38: 31-48; James et al., 1995, Biotechnology 13:592-596).

The present invention provides an in vitro customized glycosylatedimmunoglobulin molecule. The immunoglobulin molecule may be anyimmunoglobulin molecule, including, but not limited to, a monoclonalantibody, a synthetic antibody, a chimeric antibody, a humanizedantibody, and the like. Specific methods of generating antibodymolecules and their characterization are disclosed elsewhere herein.Preferably, the immunoglobulin is IgG, and more preferably, the IgG is ahumanized or human IgG, most preferably, IgG1.

The present invention specifically contemplates usingβ1,4-mannosyl-glycopeptide β1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase,GnT-III: EC2.4.1.144 as an in vitro reagent to glycosidically linkN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) onto the 4-O position of the branchedmannose of the trimannosyl core of the N-glycan at Asn 297 in the CH2domain of an IgG molecule. However, as will be appreciated from thedisclosure provided herein, the invention should not be construed tosolely include the use of this enzyme to provide a bisecting GlcNAc toan immunoglobulin molecule. Rather, it has been discovered that it ispossible to modulate the glycosylation pattern of an antibody moleculesuch that the antibody molecule has enhanced biological activity, i.e.,effector function, in addition to potential enhancement of otherproperties, e.g., stability, and the like.

There is provided in the present invention a general method for removingfucose molecules from the Asn(297) N-linked glycan for the purpose ofenhancing binding to Fc-gammaRIIIA, and enhanced antibody-dependentcellular cytotoxicity (see, Shields et al., 2002, J. Biol. Chem.277:26733-26740). The method entails contacting the antibody moleculewith a fucosidase appropriate for the linkage of the fucose molecule(s)on the antibody glycan(s). Alternately, the recombinant antibody can beexpressed in cells that do express facosyltransferases, such as theLec13 varient of CHO cells. The removal of fucose from the glycan(s) ofthe antibody can be done alone, or in conjunction with other methods toremodel the glycans, such as adding a bisecting GlcNAc. Expression ofantibodies in cells lacking GNT-I may also result in Fc glycans lackingcore facose, which can be further modified by the present invention.

There is provided in the present invention a general method forintroducing a bisecting GlcNAc for the purpose of enhancing Fc immuneeffector function in any preparation of IgG molecules containingN-linked oligosaccharides in the CH2 domain, typically at Asn 297. Themethod requires that the population of IgG molecules is brought to astate of glycosylation such that the glycan chain is an acceptor forGnT-III. This is accomplished in any one of three ways: 1) by selectionor genetic manipulation of a host expression system that secretes IgGwith N-glycan chains that are substrates for GnT-fi; 2) by treatment ofa population of IgG glycoforms with exoglycosidases such that the glycanstructure(s) remaining after exoglycosidase treatment is an acceptor forGnT-III; 3) some combination of host selection and exoglycosidasetreatment as in 1) and 2) above plus successive additions of GlcNAc byGnT-I and GnT-II to create an acceptor for GnT-III.

For example, IgG obtained from chicken plasma contains primarily highmannose chains and would require digestion with one or moreα-mannosidases to create a substrate for addition of GlcNAc to the α1,3Mannose branch of the trimannosyl core by GnT-I. This substrate could bethe elemental trimannosyl core, Man3GlcNAc2. Treatment of this corestructure sequentially with GnT-I followed by GnT-II followed by GnT-IIIusing UDP-GlcNAc as a sugar donor would create Man3GlcNAc5 as shown inFIG. 2. Optionally, this structure can then be extended by treatmentwith β1,4 galactosyltransferase. If required, the galactosylatedoligosaccharide can be further extended using α2,3- orα2,6-sialyltransferase to achieve a completed biantennary structure.Using this method biantennary glycan chains can be remodeled as requiredfor the optimal Fc immune effector function of any therapeutic IgG underdevelopment (FIG. 4).

Alternatively, IgG molecules found in the plasma of most animals or IgGwhich is secreted as a recombinant product by most animal cells or bytransgenic animals typically include a spectrum of biantennaryglycoforms including complete (NeuAc2, Gal2, GlcNAc4, Man3, ±Fuc1) (FIG.4) and variably incomplete forms, with or without bisecting GlcNAc (Rajuet al., 2000, Glycobiology 10 (5): 477486; Jeffris et al., 1998,Immunological Rev. 163: 59-76). To ensure that bisecting GlcNAc ispresent in the entire population of immunoglobulin molecules soproduced, the mixture of molecules can be treated with the followingexoglycosidases, successively or in a mixture: neuraminidase,β-galactosidase, β-glucosaminidase, α-fucosidase. The resultingtrimannosyl core can then be remodeled using glycosyltransferases asnoted above.

In addition, IgG secreted by transgenic animals or stored as“plantibodies” by transgenic plants have been characterized. An IgGmolecule produced in a transgenic plant having N-glycans that containβ1,2 linked xylose and/or α1,3 linked fucose can be treated withexoglycosidases to remove those residues, in addition to the abovedescribed exoglycosidases in order to create the trimannosyl core or aMan3GlcNAc4 structure, and are then treated with glycosyltransferases toremodel the N-glycan as described above.

The primary novel aspect of the current invention is the application ofappropriate glycosyltransferases, with or without prior exoglycosidasetreatment, applied in the correct sequence to optimize the effectorfunction of the antibody. In one exemplary embodiment, a bisectingGlcNAc is introduced into the glycans of IgG molecules or or otherIgG-Fc-chimeric constructs where bisecting GlcNAc is required. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the core fucose is removed from theglycans of IgG molecules or other IgG-Fc-chimeric constructs.

TNF Receptor-IgG Fc Fusion Protein

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the 75 kDa human TNF receptorare set forth herein as SEQ ID NO:31 and SEQ ID NO:32, respectively(FIGS. 71A and 71B, respectively). The amino acid sequences of the lightand heavy variable regions of chimeric anti-HER2 are set forth as SEQ IDNO:35 and SEQ ID NO:36, respectively (FIGS. 72A and 72B, respectively).The amino acid sequences of the light and heavy variable regions ofchimeric anti-RSV are set forth as, and SEQ ID NO:38 and SEQ ID NO:37,respectively (FIGS. 73A and 73B, respectively). The amino acid sequencesof the non-human variable regions of anti-TNF are set forth herein asSEQ ID NO:41 and SEQ ID NO:42, respectively (FIGS. 74A and 74B,respectively). The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of the Fc portionof human IgG is set forth as SEQ ID NO:49 and SEQ ID NO:50 (FIGS. 75Aand 75B, respectively).

MAb Anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa

The amino acid sequences of a murine anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antibodyvariable regions are set forth in SEQ ID NO:52 (murine mature variablelight chain, FIG. 76) and SEQ ID NO: 54 (murine mature variable heavychain, FIG. 77). These murine sequences can be combined with human IgGamino acid sequences SEQ ID NO: 51 (human mature variable light chain,FIG. 78), SEQ ID NO: 53 human mature variable heavy chain, FIG. 79), SEQID NO: 55 (human light chain, FIG. 80) and SEQ ID NO: 56 human heavychain, FIG. 81) according to the procedures found in U.S. Pat. No.5,777,085 to create a chimeric humanized murine anti-glycoproteinIIb/IIIa antibody. Other anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa humanized antibodiesare found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,006. A cell line expressing theanti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa MAb 7E3 can be commercially obtained from theATCC (Manassas, Va.) as accession no. 113-8832.

MAb Anti-CD20

The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of a chimeric anti-CD20antibody are set forth in SEQ ID NO: 59 (nucleic acid sequence of murinevariable region light chain, FIG. 82A), SEQ ID NO: 60 (amino acidsequence of murine variable region light chain, FIG. 82B), SEQ ID NO: 61(nucleic acid sequence of murine variable region heavy chain, FIG. 83A)and SEQ ID NO: 62 (amino acid sequence of murine variable region heavychain, FIG. 83B). In order to humanize a murine antibody, the TCAE 8(SEQ ID NO: 57, FIG. 84A-83E), which contains the human IgG heavy andlight constant domains, may be conveniently used. By cloning the abovemurine variable region encoding DNA into the TCAE 8 vector according toinstructions given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,137, a vector is created (SEQID NO: 58, FIG. 85A-85E) which when transformed into a mammalian cellline, expresses a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody. Other humanized anti-CD20antibodies are found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,767. A cell line expressingthe anti-CD20 MAb C273 can be commercially obtained from the ATCC(Manassas, Va.) as accession no. HB-9303.

The skilled artisan will readily appreciate that the sequences set forthherein are not exhaustive, but are rather examples of the variableregions, receptors, and other binding moieties of chimeric antibodies.Further, methods to construct chimeric or “humanized” antibodies arewell known in the art, and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.6,329,511 and 6,210,671. Coupled with the present disclosure and methodswell known throughout the art, the skilled artisan will recognize thatthe present invention is not limited to the sequences disclosed herein.

The expression of a chimeric antibody is well known in the art, and isdescribed in detail in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,511. Expressionsystems can be prokaryotic, eukaryotic, and the like. Further, theexpression of chimeric antibodies in insect cells using a baculovirusexpression system is described in Putlitz et al. (1990, Bio/Technology8:651-654). Additionally, methods of expressing a nucleic acid encodinga fusion or chimeric protein are well known in the art, and aredescribed in, for example, Sambrook et al. (2001, Molecular Cloning: ALaboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York) andAusubel et al. (1997, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Green &Wiley, New York).

Determining the function and biological activity of a chimeric antibodyproduced according to the methods of the present invention is asimilarly basic operation for one of skill in the art. Methods fordetermining the affinity of an antibody by competition assays aredetailed in Berzofsky (J. A. Berzofsky and L. J. Berkower, 1984, inFundamental Immunology (ed. W. E. Paul), Raven Press (New York), 595).Briefly, the affinity of the chimeric antibody is compared to that ofthe monoclonal antibody from which it was derived using aradio-iodinated monoclonal antibody.

VII. Pharmaceutical Compositions

In another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition.The pharmaceutical composition includes a pharmaceutically acceptablediluent and a covalent conjugate between a non-naturally-occurring,water-soluble polymer, therapeutic moiety or biomolecule and aglycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide. The polymer, therapeuticmoiety or biomolecule is conjugated to the peptide via an intactglycosyl linking group interposed between and covalently linked to boththe peptide and the polymer, therapeutic moiety or biomolecule.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are suitable for use in avariety of drug delivery systems. Suitable formulations for use in thepresent invention are found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, MacePublishing Company, Philadelphia, Pa., 17th ed. (1985). For a briefreview of methods for drug delivery, see, Langer, Science 249:1527-1533(1990).

The pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated for any appropriatemanner of administration, including for example, topical, oral, nasal,intravenous, intracranial, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous orintramuscular administration. For parenteral administration, such assubcutaneous injection, the carrier preferably comprises water, saline,alcohol, a fat, a wax or a buffer. For oral administration, any of theabove carriers or a solid carrier, such as mannitol, lactose, starch,magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, talcum, cellulose, glucose,sucrose, and magnesium carbonate, may be employed. Biodegradablemicrospheres (e.g., polylactate polyglycolate) may also be employed ascarriers for the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention. Suitablebiodegradable microspheres are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,897,268 and 5,075,109.

Commonly, the pharmaceutical compositions are administered parenterally,e.g., intravenously. Thus, the invention provides compositions forparenteral administration which comprise the compound dissolved orsuspended in an acceptable carrier, preferably an aqueous carrier, e.g.,water, buffered water, saline, PBS and the like. The compositions maycontain pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances as required toapproximate physiological conditions, such as pH adjusting and bufferingagents, tonicity adjusting agents, wetting agents, detergents and thelike.

These compositions may be sterilized by conventional sterilizationtechniques, or may be sterile filtered. The resulting aqueous solutionsmay be packaged for use as is, or lyophilized, the lyophilizedpreparation being combined with a sterile aqueous carrier prior toadministration. The pH of the preparations typically will be between 3aid 11, more preferably from 5 to 9 and most preferably from 7 and 8.

In some embodiments the peptides of the invention can be incorporatedinto liposomes formed from standard vesicle-forming lipids. A variety ofmethods are available for preparing liposomes, as described in, e.g.,Szoka et al., Ann. Rev. Biophys. Bioeng. 9: 467 (1980), U.S. Pat. Nos.4,235,871, 4,501,728 and 4,837,028. The targeting of liposomes using avariety of targeting agents (e.g., the sialyl galactosides of theinvention) is well known in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,957,773and 4,603,044).

Standard methods for coupling targeting agents to liposomes can be used.These methods generally involve incorporation into liposomes of lipidcomponents, such as phosphatidylethanolamine, which can be activated forattachment of targeting agents, or derivatized lipophilic compounds,such as lipid-derivatized peptides of the invention.

Targeting mechanisms generally require that the targeting agents bepositioned on the surface of the liposome in such a manner that thetarget moieties are available for interaction with the target, forexample, a cell surface receptor. The carbohydrates of the invention maybe attached to a lipid molecule before the liposome is formed usingmethods known to those of skill in the art (e.g., alkylation oracylation of a hydroxyl group present on the carbohydrate with a longchain alkyl halide or with a fatty acid, respectively). Alternatively,the liposome may be fashioned in such a way that a connector portion isfirst incorporated into the membrane at the time of forming themembrane. The connector portion must have a lipophilic portion, which isfirmly embedded and anchored in the membrane. It must also have areactive portion, which is chemically available on the aqueous surfaceof the liposome. The reactive portion is selected so that it will bechemically suitable to form a stable chemical bond with the targetingagent or carbohydrate, which is added later. In some cases it ispossible to attach the target agent to the connector molecule directly,but in most instances it is more suitable to use a third molecule to actas a chemical bridge, thus linking the connector molecule which is inthe membrane with the target agent or carbohydrate which is extended,three dimensionally, off of the vesicle surface. The dosage ranges forthe administration of the peptides of the invention are those largeenough to produce the desired effect in which the symptoms of the immuneresponse show some degree of suppression. The dosage should not be solarge as to cause adverse side effects. Generally, the dosage will varywith the age, condition, sex and extent of the disease in the animal andcan be determined by one of skill in the art. The dosage can be adjustedby the individual physician in the event of any counter indications.

Additional pharmaceutical methods may be employed to control theduration of action. Controlled release preparations may be achieved bythe use of polymers to conjugate, complex or adsorb the peptide. Thecontrolled delivery may be exercised by selecting appropriatemacromolecules (for example, polyesters, polyaminocarboxymethylcellulose, and protamine sulfate) and the concentration ofmacromolecules as well as the methods of incorporation in order tocontrol release. Another possible method to control the duration ofaction by controlled release preparations is to incorporate the peptideinto particles of a polymeric material such as polyesters, polyaminoacids, hydrogels, poly(lactic acid) or ethylene vinylacetate copolymers.

In order to protect peptides from binding with plasma proteins, it ispreferred that the peptides be entrapped in microcapsules prepared, forexample, by coacervation techniques or by interfacial polymerization,for example, hydroxymethylcellulose or gelatin-microcapsules andpoly(methymethacrylate) microcapsules, respectively, or in colloidaldrug delivery systems, for example, liposomes, albumin microspheres,microemulsions, nanoparticles, and nanocapsules or in macroemulsions.Such teachings are disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences(16th Ed., A. Oslo, ed., Mack, Easton, Pa., 1980).

The peptides of the invention are well suited for use in targetable drugdelivery systems such as synthetic or natural polymers in the form ofmacromolecular complexes, nanocapsules, microspheres, or beads, andlipid-based systems including oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, mixedmicelles, liposomes, and resealed erythrocytes. These systems are knowncollectively as colloidal drug delivery systems. Typically, suchcolloidal particles containing the dispersed peptides are about 50 nm-2μm in diameter. The size of the colloidal particles allows them to beadministered intravenously such as by injection, or as an aerosol.Materials used in the preparation of colloidal systems are typicallysterilizable via filter sterilization, nontoxic, and biodegradable, forexample albumin, ethylcellulose, casein, gelatin, lecithin,phospholipids, and soybean oil. Polymeric colloidal systems are preparedby a process similar to the coacervation of microencapsulation.

In an exemplary embodiment, the peptides are components of a liposome,used as a targeted delivery system. When phospholipids are gentlydispersed in aqueous media, they swell, hydrate, and spontaneously formmultilamellar concentric bilayer vesicles with layers of aqueous mediaseparating the lipid bilayer. Such systems are usually referred to asmultilamellar liposomes or multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) and havediameters ranging from about 100 nm to about 4 μm. When MLVs aresonicated, small unilamellar vesicles (SUVS) with diameters in the rangeof from about 20 to about 50 nm are formed, which contain an aqueoussolution in the core of the SUV.

Examples of lipids useful in liposome production include phosphatidylcompounds, such as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine,phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Particularly usefulare diacylphosphatidylglycerols, where the lipid moiety contains from14-18 carbon atoms, particularly from 16-18 carbon atoms, and aresaturated. Mustrative phospholipids include egg phosphatidylcholine,dipahmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and distearoylphosphatidylcholine.

In preparing liposomes containing the peptides of the invention, suchvariables as the efficiency of peptide encapsulation, lability of thepeptide, homogeneity and size of the resulting population of liposomes,peptide-to-lipid ratio, permeability instability of the preparation, andpharmaceutical acceptability of the formulation should be considered.Szoka, et al, Annual Review of Biophysics and Bioengineering, 9: 467(1980); Deamer, et al., in LIPOSOMES, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1983, 27:Hope, et al., Chem. Phys. Lipids, 40: 89 (1986)).

The targeted delivery system containing the peptides of the inventionmay be administered in a variety of ways to a host, particularly amammalian host, such as intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously,intra-peritoneally, intravascularly, topically, intracavitarily,transdermally, intranasally, and by inhalation. The concentration of thepeptides will vary upon the particular application, the nature of thedisease, the frequency of administration, or the like. The targeteddelivery system-encapsulated peptide may be provided in a formulationcomprising other compounds as appropriate and an aqueous physiologicallyacceptable medium, for example, saline, phosphate buffered saline, orthe like.

The compounds prepared by the methods of the invention may also find useas diagnostic reagents. For example, labeled compounds can be used tolocate areas of inflammation or tumor metastasis in a patient suspectedof having an inflammation. For this use, the compounds can be labeledwith ¹²⁵I, ¹⁴C, or tritium.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES

The invention is now described with reference to the following Examples.These Examples are provided for the purpose of illustration only and theinvention should in no way be construed as being limited to theseExamples, but rather should be construed to encompass any and allvariations which become evident as a result of the teaching providedherein.

A. Glycosylation

The materials and methods used in the experiments presented in thisExample are now described.

1. Sialylation and Fucosylation of TP10

This example sets forth the preparation of TP10 with sialyl Lewis Xmoieties and analysis of enhanced biological activity.

Interrupting blood flow to the brain, even for a short time, can triggerinflammatory events within the cerebral microvasculature that canexacerbrate cerebral tissue damage. The tissue damage that accrues isamplified by activation of both inflammation and coagulation cascades.In a murine model of stroke, increased expression of β-selectin andICAM-1 promotes leukocyte recruitment. sCR1 is recombinant form of theextracellular domain of Complement Receptor-1 (CR-1). sCR-1 is a potentinhibitor of complement activation. sCR1sLe^(X) (CD20) is an alternatelyglycosylated form of sCR1 that is alternately glycosylated to displaysialylated Lewis^(X) antigen. Previously, sCR-1sLeX that was expressedand glycosylated in vivo in engineered Lec11 CHO cells was found tocorrectly localize to ischemic cerebral microvessels and Clq-expressingneurons, thus inhibiting neutrophil and platelet accumulation andreducing cerebral infarct volumes (Huang et al., 1999, Science285:595-599). In the present example, sCR1sLe^(X) which was prepared invitro by remodeling of glycans, exhibited enhanced biological activitysimilar to that of sCRsLe^(X) glycosylated in vivo.

The TP10 peptide was expressed in DUK B11 CHO cells. This CHO cell lineproduces the TP10 peptide with the typical CHO cell glycosylation, withmany but not all glycans capped with sialic acid.

Sialylation of 66 mg of TP10. TP10 (2.5 mg/mL), CMPSA (5 mM), andST3Gal3 (0.1 U/mL) were incubated at 32° C. in 50 mM Tris, 0.15M NaCl,0.05% sodium azide, pH 7.2 for 48 hours. Raidiolabelled CMP sialic acidwas added to a small aliquot to monitor incorporation. TP10 wasseparated from nucleotide sugar by SEC HPLC. Samples analyzed at 24hours and 48 hours demonstrated that the reaction was completed after 24hours. The reaction mixture was then frozen. The reaction products weresubjected to Fluorophore Assisted Carbohydrate Electrophoresis (FACE®;Glyko, Inc, Novato Calif.) analysis (FIG. 86).

Pharmacokinetic studies. Rats were purchased with a jugular veincannula. 10 mg/kg of either the pre-sialylation or post-sialylation TP10peptide was given by tail vein injection to three rats for eachtreatment (n=3). Fourteen blood samples were taken from 0 to 50 hours.The concentration in the blood of post-sialylation TP10 peptide washigher than that of pre-sialylation TP10 at every time point past 0 hour(FIG. 87). Sialic acid addition doubled the area under the plasmaconcentration-time curve (AUC) of the pharmacokinetic curve as comparedto the starting material (FIG. 88).

Fucosylation of sialylated TP10. 10 mL (25 mg TP10) of the abovesialylation mix was thawed, and GDP-fucose was added to 5 mM, MnCl₂ to 5mM, and FTVI (fucosyltransferase VI) to 0.05 U/mL. The reaction wasincubated at 32° C. for 48 hours. The reaction products were subjectedto Fluorophore Assisted Carbohydrate Electrophoresis (FACE®; Glyko, Inc,Novato Calif.) analysis (FIG. 89). To a small aliquot, radiolabelledGDP-fucose was added to monitor incorporation. TP10 was separated fromnucleotide sugar by SEC HPLC. Samples analyzed at 24 hours and 48 hoursdemonstrated that the reaction was completed at 24 hours. An in vitroassay measuring binding to E-selectin indicate that fucose addition canproduce a biologically-active E-selectin ligand (FIG. 90).

2. Sialylation of Recombinant Glycoproteins

This example sets forth the preparation of sialylated forms of severalrecombinant peptides.

Sialylation of Recombinant Glycoproteins Using ST3Gal III. Severalglycoproteins were examined for their ability to be sialylated byrecombinant rat ST3Gal III. For each of these glycoproteins, sialylationwill be a valuable process step in the development of the respectiveglycoproteins as commercial products.

Reaction Conditions. Reaction conditions were as summarized in Table 9.The sialyltransferase reactions were carried out for 24 hour at atemperature between room temperature and 37°. The extent of sialylationwas established by determining the amount of ¹⁴C-NeuAc incorporated intoglycoprotein-linked oligosaccharides. See Table 9 for the reactionconditions for each protein.

TABLE 9 Reaction conditions. Protein Protein ST CMP- Total Conc. (mU/ST/Protein NeuAc of Protein Source (mg) (mg/ml) mL) (mU/mg) “cycle”¹ATIII Genzyme 8.6 4.3 210 48 cycle Transgenics ATIII Genzyme 860 403 5312 cycle Transgenics Asialo- Sigma 0.4 105 20 13 10 mM fetuin asilao-PPL 0.4 0.5 20 20 20 mM AAAT ¹“Cycle” refers to generation of CMP-NeuAc“in situ” enzymatically using standard conditions as described inspecification (20 mM NeuAc and 2 mM CMP). The buffer was 0.1 M HEPES, pH7.5.

The results presented in Table 10 demonstrate that a remarkable extentof sialylation was achieved in every case, despite low levels of enzymeused. Essentially, complete sialylation was obtained, based on theestimate of available terminal galactose. Table 10 shows the results ofthe sialylation reactions. The amount of enzyme used per mg of protein(mU/mg) as a basis of comparison for the various studies. In several ofthe examples shown, only 7-13 mU ST3Gal III per mg of protein wasrequired to give essentially complete sialylation after 24 hours.

TABLE 10 Analytical results Terminal NeuAc Gal¹ Incorp.² % Other ProteinSource mol/mol mol/mol Rxn³ characterization ATIII⁴ Genzyme 102 104 117None Transgenics ATIII⁴ Genzyme 102 1.3 108 SDS-gels: proteinTransgenics purity FACs: carbohydrate glycoforms Asialo- Sigma 802 905116 None fetuin asilao- PPL 7 7.0 100 SDS-gels: AAAT⁵ protein purity¹Terminal (exposed) Gal content on N-linked oligosaccharides determinedby supplier, or from literatures values (fetuin, asialo-AAAT). ²NeuAcincorporated determined by incorporation of 14C-NeuAc after separationfrom free radiolabeled precursors by gel filtration. ³The % Rxn refersto % completion of the reaction based on the terminal Gal content as atheoretical maximum. ⁴Antithrombin III. ⁵αl Antitrypsin.

These results are in marked contrast to those reported in detailedstudies with bovine ST6Gal I where less than 50 mU/mg protein gave lessthan 50% sialylation, and 1070 mU/mg protein gave approximately 85-90%sialylation in 24 hours. Paulson et al. (1977) J. Biol. Chem. 252:2363-2371; Paulson et al. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253: 5617-5624. A studyof rat α2,3 and α2,6 sialyltransferases by another group revealed thatcomplete sialylation of asialo-AGP required enzyme concentrations of150-250 mU/mg protein (Weinstein et al. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257:13845-13853). These earlier studies taken together suggested that theST6Gal I sialyltransferase requires greater than 50 mU/mg and up to 150mU/mg to achieve complete sialylation.

This Example demonstrates that sialylation of recombinant glycoproteinsusing the ST3 Gal III sialyltransferase required much less enzyme thanexpected. For a one kilogram scale reaction, approximately 7,000 unitsof the ST3Gal III sialyltransferase would be needed, instead of100,000-150,000 units that earlier studies indicated. Purification ofthese enzymes from natural sources is prohibitive, with yields of only1-10 units for a large scale preparation after 1-2 months work. Assumingthat both the ST6Gal I and ST3Gal III sialyltransferases are produced asrecombinant sialyltransferases, with equal levels of expression of thetwo enzymes being achieved, a fermentation scale 14-21 times greater (ormore) would be required for the ST6Gal I sialyltransferase relative tothe ST3Gal III sialyltransferase. For the ST6Gal I sialyltransferase,expression levels of 0.3 U/1 in yeast has been reported (Borsig et al.(1995) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 210: 1420). Expression levels of1000 U/liter of the ST3 Gal III sialyltransferase have been achieved inAspergillus niger. At current levels of expression 300-450,000 liters ofyeast fermentation would be required to produce sufficient enzyme forsialylation of 1 kg of glycoprotein using the ST6Gal Isialyltransferase. In contrast, less than 10 liter fermentation ofAspergillus niger would be required for sialylation of 1 kg ofglycoprotein using the ST3Gal III sialyltransferase. Thus, thefermentation capacity required to produce the ST3Gal IIIsialyltransferase for a large scale sialylation reaction would be 10-100fold less than that required for producing the ST6Gal I; the cost ofproducing the sialyltransferase would be reduced proportionately.

3. Fucosylation to Create Sialyl Lewis X

This example sets forth the preparation of Tissue Tissue-typePlasminogen Activator (TPA) with N-linked sialyl Lewis X antigen.

Sialylation. TPA expressed in mammalian cells will often contain amajority of the glycans terminating in sialic acid, but to ensurecomplete sialylation, it would be beneficial to first perform an invitro sialylation. TPA in a suitable buffer (most preferably between pH5.5 and 9, for example Tris buffered saline, pH 7.2) is incubated withCMP sialic acid and sialyltransferase for a time sufficient to convertany glycans lacking sialic acid to sialylated species. Typicalconditions would be 1 mg/mL TPA, 3 mM CMP sialic acid, 0.02 U/mLST3Gal3, 32° C. for 24 hours. Microbial growth can be halted either bysterile filtration or the inclusion of 0.02% sodium azide. The TPAconcentration is most preferably in the range 0.1 mg/mL up to thesolubility limit of the peptide. The concentration of CMP-SA should besufficient for there to be excess over the available sites, and mightrange from 50 μM up to 50 mM, and the temperature from 2° C. up to 40°C. The time required for complete reaction will depend on thetemperature, the relative amounts of enzyme to acceptor substrate, thedonor substrate concentration, and the pH. Other sialyltransferases thatmay be capable of adding sialic acid in 2,3 linkage include ST3Gal4;microbial transferases could also be used.

Fucosylation. Typical conditions for fucosylation would be 1 mg/mL 1PA,3 mM GDP-fucose, 0.02 U/mL FTVI, 5 mM MnCl₂, 32° C. for 24 H in Trisbuffered saline. Microbial growth can be halted either by sterilefiltration or the inclusion of 0.02% sodium azide. The TPA concentrationis most preferably in the range 0.1 mg/mL up to the solubility limit ofthe peptide. The concentration of GDP-fucose should be sufficient forthere to be excess over the available sites, and might range from 50 μMup to 50 mM, and the temperature from 2° C. up to 40° C. The timerequired for complete reaction will depend on the temperature, therelative amounts of enzyme to acceptor substrate, the donor substrateconcentration, and the pH. Other fucosyltransferases that may be capableof making sialyl Lewis x include FTVII, FTV, FTIII, as well as microbialtransferases could also be used.

4. Trimming of High Mannose to Tri-mannose Core Structure: Tissue-typePlasminogen Activator Produced in CHO

This example sets forth the preparation of Tissue-type PlasminogenActivator with a trimannose core by trimming back from a high mannoseglycan Tissue-type plasminogen activator (TPA) is currently produced inChinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells and contains a low amount of highmannose N-linked oligosaccharide. The mannoses can be trimmed down usinga variety of the specific mannosidases. The first step is to generateMan5GkcNAc2(Fuc0-1) from Man9GlcNAc2(Fuc0-1). This can be done usingmannosidase I. Then either GlcNAcT1 (GlcNAc transferase 1) is used tomake GlcNAc1Man5GlcNAc2(Fuc0-1) or Mannosidase III is used to makeMan3GlcNAc2(Fuc0-1). From Man3GlcNAc2(Fuc0-1),GlcNAc1Man3GlcNAc2(Fuc0-1) can be produced using GlcNAcT1 or fromGlcNAc1Man5GlcNAc2(Fuc0-1), GlcNAc1Man3GlcNAc2(Fuc0-1) can be producedusing Mannosidase II. GlcNAc1Man3GlcNAc2(Fuc0-1) is then converted intoGlcNAc2Man3GlcNAc2(Fuc0-1) using GlcNAcTransferase II (GlcNAcTII). Thetwo terminal GlcNAc residues are then galactosylated using GalTI andthen sialylated with SA-PEG using ST3GalIII.

Conversely, TPA can be produce in yeast or fungal systems. Similarprocessing would be required for fungal derived material.

5. Addition of GlcNAc to EPO

This example sets forth the addition of a GlcNAc residue on to atri-mannosyl core.

Addition of GlcNAc to EPO. EPO was expressed in SF-9 insect cells andpurified (Protein Sciences, Meriden, Conn.). A 100% conversion from thetri-mannosyl glycoform of Epo to the “tri-mannosyl core+2 GlcNAc” (Peak1, P1 in FIG. 91) was achieved in 24 hours of incubation at 32° C. with100 mU/ml of GlcNAcT-I and 100 mU/ml of GlcNAcT-II in the followingreaction final concentrations:

-   -   100 mM MES pH 6.5, or 100 mM Tris pH 7.5    -   5 mM UDP-GlcNAc    -   20 mM MnCl₂    -   100 mU/ml GlcNAcT-I    -   100 mU/ml GlcNAcT-II    -   1 mg/ml EPO (purified, expressed in Sf9 cells, purchased from        Protein Sciences).

Analysis of glycoforms. This assay is a slight modification on K-RAnumula and ST Dhume, Glycobiology 8 (1998) 685-69. N-glycanase (PNGase)released N-glycans were reductively labeled with anthranilic acid. Thereductively-aminated N-glycans were injected onto a Shodex AsahipakNH2P-50 4D amino column (4.6 mm×150 mm). Two solvents were used for theseparation: A) 5% (v/v) acetic acid, 1% tetrahydrofuran, and 3%triethylamine in water, and B) 2% acetic acid and 1% tetrahydrofuran inacetonitrile. The column was then eluted isocratically with 70% B for2.5 minutes, followed by a linear gradient over a period of 97.5 minutesgoing from 70 to 5% B and a final isocratic elution with 5% B for 15minutes. Eluted peaks were detected using fluorescence detection with anexcitation of 230 nm and emission wavelength of 420 mm.

Under these conditions, the trimannosyl core had a retention time of22.3 minutes, and the product of the GnT reaction has a retention timeof 26.3 minutes. The starting material was exclusively trimannosyl corewith core GlcNAc (FIG. 91).

6. Remodeling High Mannose N-glycans to Hybrid and Complex N-glycans:Bovine Pancreatic RNase

This example sets forth the preparation of bovine pancreas RNase withhybrid or complex N-glycans. The high mannose N-linked glycans of theRNase are enzymatically digested and elaborated on to create hybridN-linked glycans. Additionally, the high mannose N-linked glycans of theRNase are enzymatically digested and elaborated on to create complexN-linked glycans.

High mannose structures of N-linked oligosaccharides in glycopeptidescan be modified to hybrid or complex forms using the combination ofα-mannosidases and glycosyltransferases. This example summarizes theresults in such efforts using a simple N-Glycan as a model substrate.

Ribonuclease B (RNaseB) purified from bovine pancreas (Sigma) is aglycopeptide consisting of 124 amino acid residues. It has a singlepotential N-glycosylation site modified with high mannose structures.Due to its simplicity and low molecular weight (13.7 kDa to 15.5 kDa),ribonuclease B is a good candidate to demonstrate the feasibility of theN-Glycan remodeling from high mannose structures to hybrid or complexN-linked oligosaccharides. The MALDI-TOF spectrum of RNaseB and HPLCprofile for the oligosaccharides cleaved from RNaseB by N-Glycanase(FIG. 92) indicated that, other than a small portion of the non-modifiedpeptide, the majority of N-glycosylation sites of the peptide aremodified with high mannose oligosaccharides consisting of 5 to 9 mannoseresidues.

Conversion of high mannose N-Glycans to hybrid N-Glycans. High mannoseN-Glycans were converted to hybrid N-Glycans using the combination ofα1,2-mannosidase, GlcNAcT-1 (β-1,2-N-acetyl glucosaminyl transferase),GalT-I (β1,4-galactosyltransfease) and α2,3-sialyltransferase /orα2,6-sialyltransferase as shown in FIG. 93.

As an example, high mannose structures in RNaseB were successfullyconverted to hybrid structures.

Man₅GlcNAc₂-R was obtained from Man₅₋₉GlcNAc₂-R catalyzed by a singleα1,2-mannosidase cloned from Trichoderma reesei (FIG. 94). RNase B (1 g,about 67 μmol) was incubated at 30° C. for 45 h with 15 mU of therecombinant T. reesei α1,2-mannosidase in MES buffer (50 mM, pH 6.5) ina total volume of 10 mL. Man₆₋₉GlcNAc₂-protein structures have beensuccessfully converted to Man₅₋₉GlcNAc₂-protein with high efficiency bythe recombinant mannosidase.

Alternately, Man₅GlcNAc₂-R was obtained from Man₅₋₉GlcNAc₂-R catalyzedby a single α1,2-mannosidase purified from Aspergillus saitoi (FIG. 95).RNase B (40 μg, about 2.7 nmol) was incubated at 37° C. for 42.5 h with25 μU of the commercial A. saitoi α1,2-mannosidase (Glyko or CalBioChem)in NaOAC buffer (100 mM, pH 5.0) in a total volume of 20 μl.Man₆₋₉GlcNAc₂-protein structures were successfully converted toMan₅GlcNAc₂-protein by the commercially available mannosidase. However,a new peak corresponding to the GlcNAc-protein appears in the spectrum,indicating the possible contamination of endoglycosidase H in thepreparation. Although several mammalian alpha-mannosidases were requiredto achieve this step, the fungal α1,2-mannosidase was very efficient toremove all α1,2-linked mannose residues.

GlcNAcT-I then added a GlcNAc residue to the Man₅GlcNAc₂-R (FIG. 96).The reaction mixture after the T. reesei α1,2-mannosidase reactioncontaining RNase B (600 μg, about 40 nmol) was incubated withnon-purified recombinant GlcNAcT-I (34 mU) in MES buffer (50 mM, pH 6.5)containing MnCl₂ (20 mM) and UDP-GlcNAc (5 mM) in a total volume of 400μl. at 37° C. for 42 h. A GlcNAc residue was quantitatively added toMan₅GlcNAc₂-protein by the recombinant GlcNAcT-I.

A Gal residue was then added using GalT 1 (FIG. 97). The reactionmixture after the GnT-I reaction containing RNase B (120 μg, about 8nmol) was incubated at 37° C. for 20 h with 3.3 mU of the recombinantGalT-I in Tris-HCl buffer (100 mM, pH 7.3) containing UDP-Gal (7.5 mM)and MnCl₂ (20 mM) in a total volume of 100 μl. A Gal residue was addedto about 98% of the GlcNAc-Man₅GlcNAc₂-protein by the recombinant GalT1.

The next step was the addition of a sialic acid using anα2,3-sialyltransferase or an α2,6-sialyltransferase (FIG. 98). As anexample, ST3Gal III, an α2,3-sialyltransferase was used. The reactionmixture after the GalT-1 reaction containing RNase B (13 μg, about 0.87nmol) was incubated at 37° C. for 16 h with 8.9 mU of recombinant ST3GalIn in Tris-HCl buffer (100 mM, pH 7.3) containing CMP-Sialic acid (5 mM)and MnCl₂ (20 mM) in a total volume of 20 μl. A sialic acid residue wasadded to about 90% of the Gal-GlcNAc-Man₅GlcNAc₂-protein by recombinantST3Gal III using CMP-SA as the donor. The yield can be further improvedby adjusting the reaction conditions.

For convenience, no purification or dialysis step was required aftereach reaction described above. More interesting, GalT 1 and ST3Gal IIIcan be combined in a one-pot reaction. Similar yields were obtained ascompared with the separate reactions. The reaction mixture after theGlcNAcT-I reaction containing RNase B (60 μg, about 4 nmol) wasincubated at 37° C. for 20 h with 1.7 mU of recombinant GalT 1, 9.8 mUof recombinant ST3Gal III in Tris-HCl buffer (100 mM, pH 7.3) containingUDP-Gal (7.5 mM), CMP-sialic acid (5 mM) and MnCl₂ (20 mM) in a totalvolume of 60 μL.

As shown in FIG. 99, SA-PEG (10 kDa) was successfully added to theRNaseB. The reaction mixture after the GalT-1 reaction containing RNaseB (6.7 μg, about 0.45 nmol) was dialyzed against H₂O for 1 hour at roomtemperature and incubated at 37° C. for 15.5 hours with 55 mU of therecombinant ST3Gal III in Tris-HCl buffer (50 mM, pH 7.3) containingCMP-SA-PEG (10 KDa) (0.25 mM) and MnCl₂ (20 mM) in a total volume of 20μL. PEG-modified sialic acid residues were successfully added to theGal-GlcNAc-Man₅GlcNAc₂-peptide by the recombinant ST3Gal III. The yieldcan be further improved by adjusting the reaction conditions.

Conversion of high mannose N-Glycans to complex N-Glycans. To achievethis conversion, a GlcNAcβ1,2Man₃GlcNAc₂-peptide intermediate isobtained. As shown in FIG. 100, there are at least four feasible routesto carry out the reaction from Man₅GlcNAc₂-peptide to this intermediate:

Route I: The Man₅GlcNAc₂-peptide produced by the fungal α1,2 mannosidaseis a substrate of GlcNAc transferase I (GlcNAcT-I, enzyme 2) which addsone GlcNAc. The terminal α1,3- and α1,6-linked mannose residues ofGlcNAcMan₅GlcNAc₂-peptide is removed by Golgi α-mannosidase II (ManII,enzyme 5). This route is a part of the natural pathway for theprocessing of N-linked oligosaccharides carried out in higher organisms.

Route II: Two mannose residues are first removed by an α-mannosidase(enzyme 6), then a GlcNAc is added by GlcNAcT-I (enzyme 2). Other thanits natural acceptor Man₅GlcNAc₂-R, GlcNAcT-I can also recognizeMan₃GlcNAc₂-R as its substrate and add one GlcNAc to the mannose corestructure to form GlcNAcMan₃GlcNAc₂-peptide.

Route III: The α1,6-linked mannose is removed by an α1,6-mannosidase,followed by the addition of GlcNAc by GlcNAcT-I and removal of theterminal α1,3-linked mannose by an α1,3-mannosidase. From theexperimental data obtained, GlcNAcT-I can recognize thisMan₄GlcNAc₂-peptide as acceptor and add one GlcNAc residue to formGlcNAcMan₄GlcNAc₂-peptide.

Route IV: Similar to Route III, α1,3-linked mannose is removed by anα1,3-mannosidase, followed by GlcNAcT-I reaction. Then the terminalα1,6-linked mannose can be removed by an αβ1,6-mannosidase.

After the function of GlcNAcT-I (responsible for the addition of theGlcNAcβ1,2-linked to the α1,3-mannose on the mannose core) andGlcNAcT-II (responsible for the addition of a second GlcNAc β1,2-linkedto the α1,6-mannose on the mannose core), the GlcNAc₂Man₃GlcNAc₂-peptidecan be processed by GalT 1 and sialyltransferase to form bi-antennarycomplex N-Glycans. Other GlcNAc transferases such as GlcNAcT-IV,GlcNAcT-V, and/or GlcNAcT-VI (FIG. 100 and FIG. 101) can alsoglycosylate the GlcNAc₂Man₃GlcNAc₂-peptide. Additional glycosylation bythe GalT 1 and sialyltransferases will form multi-antennary complexN-glycans. The enzyme GlcNAcT-III catalyzes the insertion of a bisectingGlcNAc, thus preventing the actions of ManII, GlcNAcT-II, GlcNAcT-IV andGlcNAcT-V.

7. Preparation of EPO with Multi-antennary Complex Glycans.

This example sets forth the preparation of PEGylated, biantennary EPO,and triantennary, sialylated EPO from insect cell expressed EPO.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) from the baculovirus/Sf9expression system (Protein Sciences Corp., Meriden, Conn.) was subjectedto glycan analysis and the resulting glycans were shown to be primarilytrimannosyl core with core fucose, with a small percentage of glycansalso having a single GlcNAc (EPO 1).

Addition of N-acetylglucosamine with GnT-I and GnT-II. Two lots of rhEPO(1 mg/ml) were incubated with GnT-I and GnT-II, 5 mM UDP-glcNAc, 20 mMMnCl₂, and 0.02% sodium azide in 100 mM MES pH 6.5 at 32° C. for 24 h.Lot A contained 20 mg of EPO, and 100 mU/mL GnT-I and 60 mU/mL GnT-II.Lot B contained 41 mg of EPO, and 41 mU/mL GnT-I+50 mU/mL GnT-II. Afterthe reaction, the sample was desalted by gel filtration (PD10 columns,Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology Inc., Piscataway, N.J.).

EPO glycans analyzed by 2-AA HPLC profiling. This assay is a slightmodification on Anumula and Dhume, Glycobiology 8 (1998) 685-69.Reductively-aminated N-glycans were injected onto a Shodex AsahipakNH2P-50 4D amino column (4.6 mm×150 mm). Two solvents were used for theseparation, A) 5% (v/v) acetic acid, 1% tetrahydrofuran, and 3%triethylamine in water and B) 2% acetic acid and 1% tetrahydrofuran inacetonitrile. The column was then eluted isocratically with 70% B for2.5 min, followed by a linear gradient over a period of 100 min goingfrom 70 to 5% B, and a final isocratic elution with 5% B for 20 min.Eluted peaks were detected using fluorescence detection with anexcitation of 230 nm and emission wavelength of 420 nm. Non-sialylatedN-linked glycans fall in the LC range of 23-34 min, monosialylated from34-42 min, disialylated from 42-52 min, trisialylated from 55-65 min andtetrasialylated from 68-78 min.

Glycan profiling by 2AA HPLC revealed that lot A was 92% converted to abiantennary structure with two GlcNAcs (the balance having a singleGlcNAc. Lot B showed 97% conversion to the desired product (FIGS. 102Aand 102B).

Introducing a third antennary branch with GnT-V. EPO (1 mg/mL of lot B)from the product of the GnT-I and GnT-II reactions, after desalting onPD-10 columns and subsequent concentration, was incubated with 10 mU/mLGnT-V and 5 mM UDP-GlcNAc in 100 mM MES pH 6.5 containing 5 mM MnCl₂ and0.02% sodium azide at 32° C. for 24 hrs. 2AA HPLC analysis demonstratedthat the conversion occurred with 92% efficiency (FIG. 103).

After desalting (PD-10) and concentration, galactose was added withrGalTI: EPO (1 mg/mL) was incubated with 0.1 U/mL GalT1, 5 mMUDP-galactose, 5 mM MnCl₂ at 32° C. for 24 hrs.

MALDI analysis of reductively-aminated N-glycans from EPO. A smallaliquot of the PNGase released N-glycans from EPO that had beenreductively labeled with anthranilic acid was dialyzed for 45 min on anMF-Millipore membrane filter (0.025 μm pore, 47 mm dia), which wasfloating on water. The dialyzed aliquot was dried in a speedvac,redissolved in a small amount of water, and mixed with a solution of2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (10 g/L) dissolved in water/acetonitrile(50:50). The mixture was dried onto the target and analyzed using anApplied Biosystems DE-Pro MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer operated in thelinear/negative-ion mode. Oligosaccharides were assigned based on theobserved mass-to-charge ratio and literature precedence.

Analysis of released glycans by MALDI showed that galactose was addedquantitatively to all available sites (FIG. 104). Galactosylated EPOfrom above was then purified by gel filtration on a Superdex 1.6/60column in 50 mM Tris, 0.15M NaCl, pH 6.

Sialylation. After concentration and desalting (PD-10), 10 mggalactosylated EPO (1 mg/mL) was incubated with ST3Gal3 (0.05 U/mL), andCMP-SA (3 mM) in 50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.2 containing 0.02% sodiumazide. A separate aliquot contained radiolabelled CMP-SA. The resultingincorporated label and free label was separated by isocratic sizeexclusion chromatography/HPLC at 0.5 mL/min in 45% MeOH, 0.1%/TFA (7.8mm×30 cm column, particle size 5 μm, TSK G2000SW_(XL). Toso Haas, AnsysTechnologies, Lake Forest, Calif.). Using this procedure, 12% of thecounts were incorporated (360 micromolar, at 33 micromolar EPO, or about10.9 moles/mole). Theoretical (3 N-linked sites, tri-antennary) is about9 moles/mole incorporation. These correspond within the limits of themethod. In an identical reaction with ST6Gal1 instead of ST3Gal3, 5.7%of the radiolabel was incorporated into the galactosylated EPO, or about48% compared with ST3Gal3.

B. GlycoPEGylation

8. Preparation of CMP-SA-PEG

This example sets forth the preparation of CMP-SA-PEG.

Preparation of2-(benzyloxycarboxamido)-glycylamide-2deoxy-D-mannopyranose.N-benzyloxycarbonyl-glycyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (3.125 g, 10.2mmol) was added to a solution containing D-mannosamine-HCl (2 g, 9.3mmol) and triethylamine (1.42 mL, 10.2 mmol) dissolved in MeOH (10 ral.)and H₂O (6 mL). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 16hours and concentrated using rotoevaporation. Chromatography (silica,10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) yielded 1.71 g (50% yield) of product as a white solid:R_(f)=0.62 (silica; CHCl₃:MeOH:H₂O, 6/4/1); ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 500 MHz) δ3.24-3.27 (m, 2H), 3.44 (t, 1H), 3.55 (t, 1H), 3.63-3.66 (m, 1H),3.76-3.90 (m, 6H), 3.91 (s, 2H), 4.0 (dd, 2H), 4.28 (d, 1H, J=4.4), 4.41(d, 1H, J=3.2), 5.03 (s, 1H), 5.10 (m, 3H), 7.29-7.38(m, 10H).

Preparation of5-(N-benzyloxycarboxamido)glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate.2-(N-Benzyloxycarboxamido)glycylamide-2-deoxy-D-mannopyranose (1.59 g,4.3 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of 0.1 M HEPES (12 mL, pH 7.5) andsodium pyruvate (4.73 g, 43 mmol). Neuraminic acid aldolase (540 U ofenzyme in 45 mL of a 10 mM phosphate buffered solution containing 0.1 MNaCl at pH 6.9) and the reaction mixture was heated to 37° C. for 24 hr.The reaction mixture was then centrifuged and the supernatant waschromatographed (C18 silica, gradient from H₂O (100%) to 30%MeOH/water). Appropriate fractions were pooled, concentrated and theresidue chromatographed (silica, gradient from 10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ toCH₂Cl₂/MeOH/H₂O 6/4/1). Appropriate fractions were collected,concentrated and the residue resuspended in water. After freeze-drying,the product (1.67 g, 87% yield) was obtained as a white solid:R_(f)=0.26 (silica, CHCl₃/MeOH/H₂O 6/4/1); ¹H NMR (D2O, 500 MHz) δ 1.82(t, 1H), 2.20 (m, 1H), 3.49 (d, 1H), 3.59 (dd, 1H), 3.67-3.86 (m, 2H),3.87 (s, 2H), 8.89-4.05 (m, 3H), 5.16 (s, 2H), 7.45 (m, 5H).

Preparation of5-glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate.5-(N-Benzyloxycarboxamido)glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate(1.66 g, 3.6 mmol) was dissolved in 20 mL of 50% water/methanol. Theflask was repeatedly evacuated and placed under argon and then 10% Pd/C(0.225 g) was added. After repeated evacuation, hydrogen (about 1 atm)was then added to the flask and the reaction mixture stirred for 18 hr.The reaction mixture was filtered through celite, concentrated by rotaryevaporation and freeze-dried to yield 1.24 g (100% yield) of product asa white solid: R_(f)=0.25 (silica, IPA/H₂O/NH₄OH 7/2/1); ¹H NMR (D₂O,500 MHz) δ 1.83 (t, 1H, J=9.9), 2.23 (dd, 1H, J=12.9, 4.69), 3.51-3.70(m, 2H), 3.61 (s, 2H), 3.75-3.84 (m, 2H), 3.95-4.06 (m, 3H).

Preparation ofcytidine-5′-monophosphoryl-[5(N-fluorenylmethoxy-carboxamido)glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-β-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate].A solution containing5-glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate(0.55 g, 1.70 mmol) dissolved in 20 mL H₂O was added to a solution ofTris (1.38 g, 11.4 mmol), 1 M MgCl₂ (1.1 mL) and BSA (55 mg). The pH ofthe solution was adjusted to 8.8 with 1M NaOH (2 mL) and CTP-2Na⁺ (2.23g, 4.2 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture pH was controlled with a pHcontroller which delivered 1 M NaOH as needed to maintain pH 8.8. Thefusion protein (sialyltransferase/CMP-neuraminic acid synthetase) wasadded to the solution and the reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature. After 2 days, an additional amount of fusion protein wasadded and the reaction stirred an additional 40 hours. The reactionmixture was precipitated in EtOH and the precipitate was washed 5 timeswith cold EtOH to yield 2.3 grams of a white solid. About 1.0 g of thecrude product was dissolved in 1,4 dioxane (4 mL), H₂O (4 mL) andsaturated NaHCO₃ (3 mL) and a solution of FMOC-Cl (308 mg, 1.2 mmol)dissolved in 2 ml dioxane was added dropwise. After stirring for 16 h atroom temperature, the reaction mixture was concentrated to about 6 mL byrotary evaporation and purified using chromatography (C18 silica,gradient 100% H₂O to 30% MeOH/H₂O). Appropriate fractions were combinedand concentrated. The residue was dissolved in water and freeze-dried toyield 253 mg of a white solid: R_(f)=0.50 (silica, IPA/H₂O/NH₄OH 7/2/1);¹H NMR (D₂O, 500 MHz) δ 1.64 (dt, 1H, J=12.0, 6.0), 2.50 (dd, 1H,J=13.2, 4.9), 3.38 (d, J=9.67, 1H), 3.60 (dd, J=11.65, 6.64, 1H), 3.79(d, J=4.11, 1H), 3.87 (dd, J=12.24, 1.0, 1H), 3.97 (m, 21), 4.07 (td,J=10.75, 4.84, 1H), 4.17 (dd, J=10.68, 1.0, 1H), 4.25 (s, 2H), 4.32 (t,J=4.4, 1H), 4.37 (t, J=5.8 1H), 4.6-4.7 (m, obscured by solvent peak),5.95 (d, J=4, 1H), 6.03 (d, J=7.4, 1H), 7.43-7.53 (m, 3H), 7.74 (m, 2H),7.94 (q, J=7, 3H). MS (ES); calc. for C₃₅H₄₂N₅O₁₈P ([M−H]⁻), 851.7;found 850.0.

Preparation ofcytidine-5′-monophosphoryl-(5-glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-β-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate).Diisopropylamine (83 uL, 0.587 μmol) was added to a solution ofcytidine-5′-monophosphoryl-[5-(N-fluorenyl-methoxycarboxamido)glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-α-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate](100 mg, 0.117 mmol) dissolved in water (3 mL) and methanol (1 mL). Thereaction mixture was stirred 16 h at room temperature and the reactionmethanol removed from the reaction mixture by rotary evaporation. Thecrude reaction mixture was filtered through a C18 silica gel columnusing water and the efluant was collected and freeze-dried to yield (87mg, 100%) of product as a white solid: R_(f)=0.21 (silica, IPA/H₂O/NH₄OH7/2/1); ¹H NMR (D₂O, 500 MHz) δ 1.66 (td, 1H, J=5.3), 2.50 (dd, 1H,J=13.2, 4.6), 3.43 (d, J=9.58, 1H), 3.63 (dd, J=11.9, 6.44, 1H), 3.88(dd, J=11.8, 1.0, 1H), 3.95 (td, J=9.0, 2.3, 1H), 4.10 (t, J=10.42, 1H),4.12 (td, J=10.34, 4.66, 1H), 4.18 (d, J=10.36, 1H), 4.24 (m, 2H), 4.31(t, J=4.64, 1H), 4.35 (t, 1H), 6.00 (d, J=4.37, 1H), 6.13 (d, J=7.71,1H), 7.98 (d, J=7.64, 1H). MS (ES); calc. for C₂₁H₃₂N₅O₁₁P ([M−H]⁻),629.47; found 627.9.

Preparation ofcytidine-5′-monophosphoryl-[5-(N-methoxy-polyoxyethylene-(1KDa)-3-oxypropionamido)-glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-β-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate].Benzyltriazol-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)-phosphoniumhexafluorophosphate (BOP, 21 mg, 48 μmol) was added to a solution ofmethoxypolyoxyethylene-(1 KDa average molecular weight)-3-oxypropionicacid (48 mg, 48 μmol) dissolved in anhydrous DMF (700 μL) andtriethylamine (13 μL, 95 μmol). After 30 min, a solution containingcytidine-5′-monophosphoryl-(5-glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-α-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate)(30 mg, 48, mol), water (400 μL) and triethylamine (13 μL, 95 μmol) wasadded. This solution was stirred 20 min at room temperature and thenchromatographed (C18 silica, gradient of methanol/water). Appropriatefractions were collected, concentrated, the residue dissolved in waterand freeze-dried to afford 40 mg (50% yield) of a white solid:R_(f)=0.36 (silica, IPA/H₂O/NH₄OH 7/2/1); ¹H NMR (D₂O, 500 MHz) δ 1.66(td, 1H, J=5.3), 2.50 (dd, 1H, J=13.2, 4.6), 2.64 (t, J=5.99, 3H) 3.43(d, J=9.58, 1H), 3.63 (m, 1H), 3.71 (s, 70H), 3.79 (m, obscured by 3.71peak), 3.82 (t, J=6.19, 1H) 3.88 (dd, J=11.8, 1.0, 1H), 3.95 (td, J=9.0,2.3, 1H), 3.98 (t, J=5.06, 1H), 4.12 (td, J=10.34, 4.66, 1H), 4.18 (d,J=10.36, 1H), 4.23 (d, J=4.85, 2H), 4.31 (t, J=4.64, 1H), 4.35 (t, 1H),6.00 (d, J=4.55, 1H), 6.13 (d, J=7.56, 1H), 7.98 (d, J=7.54, 1H). MS(MALDI), observe [M−H]; 1594.5, 1638.5, 1682.4, 1726.4, 1770.3, 1814.4,1858.2, 1881.5, 1903.5, 1947.3.

Preparation ofcytidine-5′-monophosphoryl-[5-(N-methoxy-polyoxyethylene-(10KDa)-oxycarboxamido)-glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-β-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate].Cytidine-5′-monophosphoryl-(5-glycylamido-3,5-dideoxy-β-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate)(2.5 mg, 4 μmol) and water (180 μL) was added to a solution of(Nethoxypolyoxyethylene-(10 KDa, average molecularweight)-oxycarbonyl-(N-oxybenzotriazole)ester (40 mg, 4 μmol) inanhydrous DMF (800 μL) containing triethylamine (1.1 μL, 8 μmol) and thereaction mixture stirred for 1 hr at room temperature. The reactionmixture was then diluted with water (8 mL) and was purified by reversedphase flash chromatography (C18 silica, gradient of methanol/water).Appropriate fractions were combined, concentrated, the residue dissolvedin water and freeze-dried yielding 20 mg (46% yield) of product as awhite solid: R_(f)=0.35 (silica, IPA/H₂O/NH₄OH 7/2/1); ¹H NMR (D₂O, 500MHz) δ 1.66 (td, 1H), 2.50 (dd, 1H), 2.64 (t, 3H) 3.55-3.7 (m, obscuredby 3.71 peak), 3.71 (s, 488H), 3.72-4.0 (m, obscured by 3.71 peak), 4.23(m, 3H), 4.31 (t, 1H), 4.35 (t, 1H), 6.00 (d, J=4.77, 1H), 6.12 (d,J=7.52, 1H), 7.98 (d, J=7.89, 1H). MS (MALDI), observe [M−CMP+Na];10780.

9. GlycoPEGylation of Human Pituitary-Derived FSH

This example illustrates the assembly of a conjugate of the invention.Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is desialylated and then conjugatedwith CMP-(sialic acid)-PEG.

Desialylation of Follicle Stimulating Hormone. Follicle StimulatingHormone (FSH) (Human Pituitary, Calbiochem Cat No. 869001), 1 mg, wasdissolved in 500 μL 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂. Thissolution, 375 μL, was transferred to a small plastic tube and to it wasadded 263 mU Neuraminidase II (Vibrio cholerae). The reaction mixturewas shaken gently for 15 hours at 32° C. The reaction mixture was addedto N-(p-aminophenyl)oxamic acid-agarose conjugate, 600 μL,pre-equllibrated with 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl and 0.05% NaN₃and gently rotated 6.5 hours at 4° C. The suspension was centrifuged for2 minutes at 14,000 rpm and the supernatant was collected. The beadswere washed 5 times with 0.5 mL of the buffer and all supernatants werepooled. The enzyme solution was dialyzed (7000 MWCO) for 15 hours at 4°C. with 2 L of a solution containing 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 1 M NaCl,0.05% NaN₃, and then twice for 4 hours at 4° C. into 50 mM Tris-HCl pH7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃. The solution was concentrated to 2 μg/μL bySpeed Vac and stored at −20° C. Reaction samples were analyzed by IEFgels (pH 3-7) (Invitrogen) (FIG. 105).

Preparation of human pituitary-derived SA-FSH and PEG-SA-FollicleStimulating Hormone. Desialylated FSH (100 μg, 50 μL) and CMP-sialicacid or CMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa or 10 kDa) (0.05 umol) were dissolved in 13.5μL H₂O (adjusted to pH 8 with NaOH) in 0.5 mL plastic tubes. The tubeswere vortexed briefly and 40 mU ST3Gal3 (36.5 μL) was added (totalvolume 100 μL). The tubes were vortexed again and shaken gently for 24hours at 32° C. The reactions were stopped by freezing at −80° C.Reaction samples of 15 μg were analyzed by SDS-PAGE (FIG. 106), IEF gels(FIG. 107) and MALDI-TOF. Native FSH was also analyzed by SDS-PAGE (FIG.108)

Analysis of SDS PAGE and IEF Gels of Reaction Products. NovexTris-Glycine 8-16% 1 mm gels for SDS PAGE analysis were purchased fromInvitrogen. 7.5 μL (15 μg) of FSH reaction samples were diluted with 5μL of 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ buffer, mixed with15 μL sample loading buffer and 1 μL 9 M μ-mercaptoethanol and heatedfor 6 minutes at 85° C. Gels were run as directed by Invitrogen andstained with Colloidal Blue Stain (Invitrogen).

FSH samples (15 μg) were diluted with 5 μL Tris buffer and mixed with 15μL sample loading buffer (FIG. 105). The samples were then applied toIsoelectric Focusing Gels (pH 3-7) (Invitrogen) (FIG. 108). Gels wererun and fixed as directed by Invitrogen and then stained with ColloidalBlue Stain.

10. GlycoPEGylation of Recombinant FSH Produced Recombinantly in CHOCells

This example illustrates the assembly of a conjugate of the invention.Disialylated FSH was conjugated with CMP-(sialic acid)-PEG.

Preparation of recombinant Asialo-Foricle Stimulation Hormone.Recombinant Follicle Stimulation Hormone (rFSH) produced from CHO wasused in these studies. The 7,500 IU of Gonal-F was dissolved in 8 mL ofwater. The FSH solution was dialyzed in 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 0.15 MNaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂ and concentrated to 500 μL in a Centricon Plus 20centrifugal filter. A portion of this solution (400 μL) (0.8 mg FSH) wastransferred to a small plastic tube and to it was added 275 mUNeuraminidase II (Vibrio cholerae). The reaction mixture was mixed for16 hours at 32° C. The reaction mixture was added to prewashedN-(p-aminophenyl)oxamic acid-agarose conjugate (800 μL) and gentlyrotated for 24 hours at 4° C. The mixture was centrifuged at 10,000 rpmand the supernatant was collected. The beads were washed 3 times with0.6 mL Tris-EDTA buffer, once with 0.4 mL Tris-EDTA buffer and once with0.2 mL of the Tris-EDTA buffer and all supernatants were pooled. Thesupernatant was dialyzed at 4° C. against 2 L of 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4,1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ and then twice more against 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4,1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃. The dialyzed solution was then concentrated to 420μL in a Centricon Plus 20 centrifugal filter and stored at −20° C.

Native and desialylated rFSH samples were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and IEF(FIG. 109). Novex Tris-Glycine 8-16% 1 mm gels were purchased fromInvitrogen. Samples (7.5 μL, 15 μg) samples were diluted with 5 μL of 50mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ buffer, mixed with 15 μLsample loading buffer and 1 μL 9 M β-mercaptoethanol and heated for 6minutes at 85° C. Gels were run as directed by Invitrogen and stainedwith Colloidal Blue Stain (Invitrogen). Isoelectric Focusing Gels (pH3-7) were purchased from Invitrogen. Samples (7.5 μL, 15 μg) werediluted with 5 μL Tris buffer and mixed with 15 μL sample loadingbuffer. Gels were loaded, run and fixed as directed by Invitrogen. Gelswere stained with Colloidal Blue Stain. Samples of native anddesialylated FSH were also dialyzed against water and analyzed byMALDI-TOF.

Sialyl-PEGylation of recombinant Follicle Stimulation Hormone.Desialylated FSH (100 μg, 54 μL) and CMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa or 10 kDa) (0.05μmol) were dissolved in 28 μL 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃,pH 7.2 in 0.5 mL plastic tubes. The tubes were vortexed briefly and 20mU of ST3Gal3 was added (total volume 100 μL). The tubes were vortexedagain, mixed gently for 24 hours at 32° C. and the reactions stopped byfreezing at −80° C. Samples of this reaction were analyzed as describedabove by SDS-PAGE gels (FIG. 110), IEF gels (FIG. 111) and MALDI-TOF MS.

MALDI was also performed on the PEGylated rFSH. During ionization,SA-PEG is eliminated from the N-glycan structure of the glycoprotein.Native FSH gave a peak at 13928; AS-rFSH (13282); resialylate r-FSH(13332); PEG100-rFSH (13515; 14960 (1); 16455 (2); 17796 (3); 19321(4)); and PEG 10000 (23560 (1); 24790 (2); 45670 (3); and 56760 (4)).

11. Pharmacokinetic Study of GlycoPEGylated FSH

This example sets forth the testing of the pharmacokinetic propertiesglycoPEGylated Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) prepared according tothe methods of the invention as compared to non-PEGylated FSH.

FSH, FSH-SA-PEG (1 KDa) and FSH-SA-PEG (10 KDa) were radioiodinatedusing standard conditions (Amersham Biosciences, Arlington Heights,Ill.) and formulated in phosphate buffered saline containing 0.1% BSA.After dilution in phosphate buffer to the appropriate concentration,each of the test FSH proteins (0.4 μg, each) was injected intravemeouslyinto female Sprague Dawley rats (250-300 g body weight) and blood drawnat time points from 0 to 80 hours. Radioactivity in blood samples wasanalyzed using a gamma counter and the pharmacokinetics analyzed usingstandard methods (FIG. 112). FSH was cleared from the blood much morequickly than FSH-PEG (1 KDa), which in turn was clear somewhat morequickly than FSH-PEG (10 KDa).

12. Bioassay for FSH Peptides

This example sets forth a bioassay for follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) activity based on cultured Sertoli cells. This assay is useful todetermine the bioactivity of FSH after glycan remodeling, includingglycoconjugation.

This bioassay is based on the dose-response relationship that existsbetween the amount of estradiol produced when FSH, but not lutenizinghormone (LH), is added to cultured Sertoli cells obtained from immatureold rats. Exogenous testosterone is converted to 17β-estradiol in thepresence of FSH.

Seven to 10 days old Sprague-Dawley rats were used to obtain Sertolicells. After sacrifice, testes were decapsulated and tissue wasdispersed by incubation in collagenase (1 mg/ml), trypsin (1 mg/m),hyaluronidase (1 mg/ml) and DNases (5 μg/ml) for 5 to 10 min. The tubulefragments settled to the bottom of the flask and were washed in PBS(1×). The tubule fragments were reincubated for 20 min with a mediacontaining the same enzymes: collagenase (1 mg/ml), trypsin (1 mg/ml),hyaluronidase (1 mg/ml) and DNases (5 μg/ml).

The tubule fragments were homogenized and plated into a 24 well plate ina serum free media. 5×10⁵ cells were dispersed per well. After 48 hincubation at 37° C. and 5% CO₂, fresh media was added to the cells.Composition of the serum free media: DMEM (1 vol), Ham's F10 nutrientmixture (1 vol), insulin 1 μg/ml, Transferrin 5 μg/ml, EGF 10 ng/ml, T420 pg/ml, Hydrocortisone 10⁻⁸ M, Retinoic acid 10⁻⁶ M.

The stimulation experiment consists of a 24 hour incubation withstandard FSH or samples at 37° C. and 5% CO₂. The mean intra-assaycoefficient of variation is 9% and the mean inter-assay coefficient ofvariation is 11%.

The 17B-estradiol Elisa Kit DE2000 (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) wasused to quantify the level of estradiol after incubation with FSH,FSH-SA-PEG (1 KDa) and FSH-SA-PEG (10 KDa).

The procedure was as follows: 100 μl of Estradiol Standard (providedwith kit and prepared as per instructions with kit) or sample waspipetted into wells of 17B-estradiol Elisa plate(s); 50 μl of17B-estradiol Conjugate (provided with kit, prepared as per instructionswith kit) was added to each well; 50 μl of 17B-estradiol Antibodysolution (provided with kit and prepared as per instructions with kit)was added to each well; plates were incubated for 2 hour at roomtemperature at 200 rpm; the liquid was aspirated from each well; thewells were washed 4 times using the washing solution; all the liquid wasremoved from the wells; 200 μl of pNPP Substrate (provided with kit andprepared as per instructions with kit) was added to all wells andincubated for 45 min; 50 μl of Stop solution (provided with kit andprepared as per instructions with kit) was added and the plates wereread it at 405 nm (FIG. 113). While FSH-PEG (10 KDa) exhibited a modeststimulation of Sertoli cells, at 1 μg/ml, FSH-PEG (1 KDa) stimulatedSertoli cells up to 50% more than unPEGylated FSH.

13. GlycoPEGylation of Transferrin

This example sets forth the preparation of asialotransferrin and itssialylation with PEG-CNT-sialic acid.

Preparation of Asialotransferrin. Human-derived holo-Transferrin, (10mg) was dissolved in 500 μL of 50 mM NaOAc, 5 mM CaCl₂, pH 5.5. To thissolution was added 500 mU Neuraminidase II (Vibrio cholerae) and thereaction mixture was shaken gently for 20.5 hours at 37° C. The reactionmixture was added to the prewashed N-(p-aminophenyl)oxamic acid-agaroseconjugate (600 μL) and the washed beads gently rotated for 24 hours at4° C. The mixture was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm and the supernatant wascollected. The reaction mixture was adjusted to 5 mM EDTA by addition of100 μL of 30 mM EDTA to the washed beads, which were gently rotated for20 hours at 4° C. The suspension was centrifuged for 2 minutes at 10,000rpm and the supernatant was collected. The beads were washed 5 timeswith 0.35 mL of 50 mM NaOAc, 5 mM CaCl₂, 5 mM EDTA, pH 5.5 and allsupernatants were pooled. The enzyme solution was dialyzed twice at 4°C. into 15 mM Tris-HCl, 1 M NaCl, pH 7.4. 0.3 mL of the transferrinsolution (3.3 mL total) was removed and dialyzed twice against water.The remainder was dialyzed twice more at 4° C. against phosphatebuffered saline. The dialyzed solution was stored at −20° C. Proteinsamples were analyzed by IEF Electrophoresis. Samples (9 μL, 25 μg) werediluted with 16 μL Tris buffer and mixed with 25 μL of the sampleloading buffer and applied to Isoelectric Focusing Gels (pH 3-7). Gelswere run and fixed using standard procedures. Gels were stained withColloidal Blue Stain.

Sialyl-PEGylation of asialo-Transferrin. Desialylated transferrin (250μg) and CMP-sialic acid or CMP-SA-PEG (1 kDa or 10 kDa)(0.05 μmol) weredissolved in 69 μL 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2 in1.5 mL plastic tubes. The tubes were vortexed briefly and 100 mU ST3Gal3(90 μL) were added (total volume 250 μL). The tubes were vortexed againand mixed gently for 24 hours at 32° C. The reactions were stopped byfreezing at −80° C. Novex Tris-Glycine 8-16% 1 mm gels were used for SDSPAGE analysis (FIG. 114). Samples (25 μL, 25 μg) were mixed with 25 μLof sample loading buffer and 0.4 μL of β-mercaptoethanol and heated for6 minutes at 85° C. Gels were run using standard conditions and stainedwith Colloidal Blue Stain. IEF gels were also performed as describedabove FIG. 115). Samples were also dialyzed against water analyzed byMALDI-TOF.

Results. MALDI was also performed. Native transferrin (78729);asialotransferrin (78197); resialylated transferrin (79626/80703); withSA-PEG 1 k (79037 (1); 80961 (2); 82535 (3); 84778 (4)); with SA-PEG 5 k(90003 (2); 96117 (3); 96117 (4)); with SA-PEG 10 k (100336 (2); 111421(3); 122510 (4)).

14. GlycoPEGylation of Recombinant Factor VIIa produced in BHK Cells

This example sets forth the PEGylation of recombinant Factor VIIa madein CHO cells.

Preparation of Asialo-Factor VIIa. Recombinant Factor VIIa was producedin BHK cells (baby hamster kidney cells). Factor VIIa (14.2 mg) wasdissolved at 1 mg/ml in buffer solution (H 7.4, 0.05 M Tris, 0.15 MNaCl, 0.001 M CaCl₂, 0.05% NaN₃) and was incubated with 300 mU/mLsialidase (Vibrio cholera)-agarose conjugate for 3 days at 32° C. Tomonitor the reaction a small aliquot of the reaction was diluted withthe appropriate buffer and an IEF gel performed according to Invitrogenprocedures (FIG. 116). The mixture was centrifuged at 3,500 rpm and thesupernatant was collected. The resin was washed three times (3×2 mL)with the above buffer solution (pH 7.4, 0.05 M Tris, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05%NaN₃) and the combined washes were concentrated in a Centricon-Plus-20.The remaining solution was buffer exchanged with 0.05 M Tris (pH 7.4),0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ to a final volume of 14.4 mL.

Preparation of Factor VIIa-SA-PEG (1 KDa and 10 KDa). The desialylationrFactor VIIa solution was split into two equal 7.2 ml samples. To eachsample was added either CMP-SA-5-PEG (1 KDa) (7.4 mg) or CMP-SA-5-PEG(10 KDa) (7.4 mg). ST3Gal3 (1.58 U) was added to both tubes and thereaction mixtures were incubated at 32° C. for 96 hrs. The reaction wasmonitored by SDS-PAGE gel using reagents and conditions described byInvitrogen. When the reaction was complete, the reaction mixture waspurified using a Toso Haas TSK-Gel-3000 preparative column using PBSbuffer (pH 7.1) and collecting fractions based on UV absorption. Thecombined fractions containing the product were concentrated at 4° C. inCentricon-Plus-20 centrifugal filters (Millipore, Bedford, Mass.) andthe concentrated solution reformulated to yield 1.97 mg (bicinchoninicacid protein assay, BCA assay, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis Mo.) of FactorVIIa-PEG. The product of the reaction was analyzed using SDS-PAGE andIEF analysis according to the procedures and reagents supplied byInvitrogen. Samples were dialyzed against water and analyzed byMALDI-TOF. FIG. 117 shows the MALDI results for native Factor VIIa. FIG.118 contains the MATDI results for Factor VIIa PEGylated with 1 KDa PEGwhere peak of Factor VIIa PEGylated with 1 KDa PEG is evident. FIG. 119contains the MAILDI results for Factor VIIa PEGylated with 10 KDa PEGwhere a peak for Factor VIIa PEGylated with 10 KDa PEG is evident. FIG.120 depicts the SDS-PAGE analysis of all of the reaction products, wherea band for Factor VIII-SA-PEG (10-KDa) is evident.

15. GlycoPEGylation of Factor IX Produced in CHO Cells

This example sets forth the preparation of asialoFactor IX and itssialylation with PEG-CMP-sialic acid.

Desialylation of rFactor IX. A recombinant form of Coagulation Factor IX(rFactor IX) was made in CHO cells. 6000 IU of rFactor IX were dissolvedin a total of 12 mL USP H₂O. This solution was transferred to aCentricon Plus 20, PL-10 centrifugal filter with another 6 mL USP H₂O.The solution was concentrated to 2 mL and then diluted with 15 mL 50 mMTris-HCl pH 7.4, 0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂, 0.05% NaN₃ and thenreconcentrated. The dilution/concentration was repeated 4 times toeffectively change the buffer to a final volume of 3.0 mL. Of thissolution, 2.9 mL (about 29 mg of rFactor IX) was transferred to a smallplastic tube and to it was added 530 mU α2-3,6,8-Neuraminidase- agaroseconjugate (Vibrio cholerae, Calbiochem, 450 μL). The reaction mixturewas rotated gently for 26.5 hours at 32° C. The mixture was centrifuged2 minutes at 10,000 rpm and the supernatant was collected. The agarosebeads (containing neuraminidase) were washed 6 times with 0.5 mL 50 mMTris-HCl pH 7.12, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃. The pooled washings andsupernatants were centrifuged again for 2 minutes at 10,000 rpm toremove any residual agarose resin. The pooled, desialylated proteinsolution was diluted to 19 mL with the same buffer and concentrated downto ˜2 mL in a Centricon Plus 20 PL-10 centrifugal filter. The solutionwas twice diluted with 15 mL of 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 0.15 M NaCl,0.05% NaN₃ and reconcentrated to 2 mL. The final desialyated rFactor IXsolution was diluted to 3 mL final volume (˜10 mg/mL) with the TrisBuffer. Native and desialylated rFactor IX samples were analyzed byIEF-Electrophoresis. Isoelectric Focusing Gels (pH 3-7) were run using1.5 μL (15 μg) samples first diluted with 10 μL Tris buffer and mixedwith 12 μL sample loading buffer. Gels were loaded, run and fixed usingstandard procedures. Gels were stained with Colloidal Blue Stain (FIG.121), showing a band for desialylated Factor IX.

Preparation of PEG (1 kDa and 10 kDa)-SA-Factor IX. DesialylatedrFactor-IX (29 mg, 3 mL) was divided into two 1.5 mL (14.5 mg) samplesin two 15 mL centrifuge tubes. Each solution was diluted with 12.67 mL50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ and either CMP-SA-PEG-1 kor 10 k (7.25 μmol) was added. The tubes were inverted gently to mix and2.9 U ST3Gal3 (326 μL) was added (total volume 14.5 mL). The tubes wereinverted again and rotated gently for 65 hours at 32° C. The reactionswere stopped by freezing at −20° C. 10 μg samples of the reactions wereanalyzed by SDS-PAGE. The PEGylated proteins were purified on a TosoHaas Biosep G3000SW (21.5×30 cm, 13 um) HPLC column with Dulbecco'sPhosphate Buffered Saline, pH 7.1 (Gibco), 6 mL/min. The reaction andpurification were monitored using SDS Page and IEF gels. NovexTris-Glycine 4-20% 1 mm gels were loaded with 10 μL (10 μg) of samplesafter dilution with 2 μL of 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05%Na₃ buffer and mixing with 12 μL sample loading buffer and 1 μL 0.5 MDTT and heated for 6 minutes at 85° C. Gels were stained with ColloidalBlue Stain (FIG. 122) showing a band for PEG (1 kDa and 10kDa)-SA-Factor IX.

16. Direct Sialyl-GlycoPEGylation of Factor-IX

This example sets forth the preparation of sialyl-glycoPEGylation ofpeptides without prior sialidase treatment. Here, Factor-IX is theexemplary peptide.

Direct Sialyl-PEGylation (10 KDa) of Factor-IX. Factor IX (1100 IU) wasdissolved in 5 mL of 20 mM histidine, 520 mM glycine buffer containing2% sucrose, 0.05% NaN₃, and 0.01% polysorbate 80, pH 5.0. The CMP-SA-PEG(10 KDa) (27.8 mg, 3.5 μmol) was then added to this solution, thereaction mixture inverted gently to mix and 1.4 U of ST3Gal3 was added.The reaction mixture was rotated gently for 19 hours at 32° C. and thereaction was stopped by freezing. The reaction mixture was analyzed bySDS-PAGE gels using development and staining (Colloidal Blue) conditionsdescribed by Invitrogen. Briefly, samples (10 μL) were mixed with 12 μlsample loading buffer and 2 μL 0.5 M DTT and heated for 6 minutes at 85°C. (FIG. 123, lanes 8, 9 and 10). The product was purified on a Superdex200 10/20 column (Amersham, Uppsala, Sweden) column with Dulbecco'sPhosphate Buffered Saline, pH 7.1 (Gibco), 6 mL/min. Figure (FIG. 123contains a band (lane 5) of the HPLC-purified PEGylated Factor-IX.

17. Sialic Acid Capping of GlycoPEGylated Factor IX

This examples sets forth the procedure for sialic acid capping ofsialyl-glycoPEGylated peptides. Here, Factor-IX is the exemplarypeptide.

Sialic acid capping of N-linked and O-linked Glycans of Factor-IX-SA-PEG(10 KDa). Purified r-Factor-IX-PEG (10 KDa) (2.4 mg) was concentrated ina Centricon® Plus 20 PL-10 (Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass.) centrifugalfilter and the buffer was changed to 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.2, 0.15 M NaCl,0.05% NaN₃ to a final volume of 1.85 mL. The protein solution wasdiluted with 372 μL of the same Tris buffer and 7.4 mg CMP-SA (12 μmol)was added as a solid. The solution was inverted gently to mix and 0.1 UST3Gal1 and 0.1 U ST3Gal3 were added. The reaction mixture was rotatedgently for 42 hours at 32° C.

A 10 μg sample of the reaction was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. NovexTris-Glycine 4-12% 1 mm gels were performed and stained using ColloidalBlue as described by Invitrogen. Briefly, samples, 10 μL (10 μg), weremixed with 12 μL sample loading buffer and 1 μL 0.5 M DTT and heated for6 minutes at 85° C. (FIG. 123, lane 4).

18. GlycoPEGylation of Proteins Expressed in Mammalian or InsectSystems: EPO, Interferon α and Interferon β

This example sets forth the preparation of PEGylated peptides that areexpressed in mammalian and insect systems.

Preparation of acceptor from mammalian expression systems. The peptidesto be glycoPEGylated using CMP-sialic acid PEG need to have glycansterminating in galactose. Most peptides from mammalian expressionsystems will have terminal sialic acid that first needs to be removed.

Sialidase digestion. The peptide is desialylated using a sialidase. Atypical procedure involves incubating a 1 mg/mL solution of the peptidein Tris-buffered saline, pH 7.2, with 5 mM CaCl₂ added, with 0.2 U/mLimmobilized sialidase from Vibrio cholera (Calbiochem) at 32° C. for 24hours. Microbial growth can be halted either by sterile filtration orthe inclusion of 0.02% sodium-azide. The resin is then removed bycentrifugation or filtration, and then washed to recover entrappedpeptide. At this point, EDTA may be added to the solution to inhibit anysialidase that has leached from the resin.

Preparation from insect expression systems. EPO, interferon-alpha, andinterferon-beta may also be expressed in non-mammalian systems such asyeast, plants, or insect cells. The peptides to be glycoPEGylated usingCMP-sialic acid PEG need to have glycans terminating in galactose. Themajority of the N-glycans on peptides expressed in insect cells, forexample, are the trimannosyl core. These glycans are first built out toglycans terminating in galactose before they are acceptors forsialyltransferase.

Building acceptor glycans from trimannosyl core. Peptide (1 mg/mL) inTris-buffered saline, pH 7.2, containing 5 mM MnCl₂, 5 mM UDP-glcNAc,0.05 U/mL GLCNACT I, 0.05 U/mL GLCNACT II, is incubated at 32° C. for 24hours or until the reaction is substantially complete. Microbial growthcan be halted either by sterile filtration or the inclusion of 0.02%sodium azide. After buffer exchange to remove UDP and other smallmolecules, UDP-galactose and MnCl₂ are each added to 5 mM,galactosyltransferase is added to 0.05 U/mL, and is incubated at 32° C.for 24 H or until the reaction is substantially complete. Microbialgrowth can be halted either by sterile filtration or the inclusion of0.02% sodium azide. The peptides are then ready for glycoPEGylation.

Building O-linked glycans. A similar strategy may be employed forinterferon alpha to produce enzymatically the desired O-glycanGal-GalNAc. If necessary, GalNAc linked to serine or threonine can beadded to the peptide using appropriate peptide GalNAc transferases (e.g.GalNAc T1, GalNAc T2, T3, T4, etc.) and UDP-GalNAc. Also, if needed,galactose can be added using galactosyltransferase and UDP-galactose.

GlycoPEGylation using sialyltransferase. The glycopeptides (1 mg/mL)bearing terminal galactose in Tris buffered saline+0.02% sodium azideare incubated with CMP-SA-PEG (0.75 mM) and 0.4 U/mL sialyltransferase(ST3Gal3 or ST3Gal4 for N-glycans on EPO and interferon beta; ST3Gal4,or ST3Gal1 for O-glycans on interferon alpha) at 32° C. for 24 hours.Other transferases that may work include the 2,6 sialyltransferase fromPhotobacterium damsella. The acceptor peptide concentration is mostpreferably in the range of 0.1 mg/mL up to the solubility limit of thepeptide. The concentration of CMP-SA-PEG should be sufficient for thereto be excess over the available sites, but not so high as to causepeptide solubility problems due to the PEG, and may range from 50 μM upto 5 mM, and the temperature may range from 2° C. up to 40° C. The timerequired for complete reaction will depend on the temperature, therelative amounts of enzyme to acceptor substrate, the donor substrateconcentration, and the pH.

19. GlycoPEGylation of EPO Produced in Insect Cells

This example sets forth the preparation of PEGylated biantennary EPOfrom insect cell expressed EPO.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) from the baculovirus/Sf9expression system (Protein Sciences Corp., Meriden, Conn.) was subjectedto glycan analysis and the resulting glycans were shown to be primarilytrimannosyl core with core fucose, with a small percentage of glycansalso having a single GlcNAc (FIG. 124).

Addition of N-acetylglucosamine with GnT-I and GnT-II. Two lots of rhEPO(1 mg/mL) were incubated with GnT-I and GnT-II, 5 mM UDP-glcNAc, 20 mMMnCl₂, and 0.02% sodium azide in 100 mM MES pH 6.5 at 32° C. for 24 h.Lot A contained 20 mg of EPO, and 100 mU/mL GnT-I and 60 mU/mL GnT-II.Lot B contained 41 mg of EPO, and 41 mU/mL GnTI+50 mU/1 mL GnT-II. Afterthe reaction, the sample was desalted by gel filtration (PD10 columns,Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology Inc., Piscataway, N.J.).

Glycan profiling by 2AA HPLC revealed that lot A was 92% converted to abiantennary structure with two GlcNAcs (the balance having a singleglcNAc. Lot B showed 97% conversion to the desired product (FIGS. 102Aand 102B ).

Galactosylation of EPO lot A. EPO (˜16 mgs of lot A) was treated withGnTII to complete the addition of GlcNAc. The reaction was carried outin 50 mM Tris pH 7.2 containing 150 mM NaCl, EPO mg/ml, 1 mMLTDP-GlcNAc, 5 mM MuCl₂, 0.02% sodium azide and 0.02 U/ml GnTII at 32 Cfor 4 hrs. Then galactosylation of EPO was done by adding UDP-galactoseto 3 mM and GalT1 to 0.5 U/ml and the incubation continued at 32 C for48 hrs.

Galactosylated EPO was then purified by gel filtration on a Superdex1.6/60 column in 50 mM Tris, 0.15M NaCl, pH 6. The EPO containing peakwas then analyzed by 2AA HPLC. Based on the HPLC data ˜85% of theglycans contains two galactose and ˜15% of the glycans did not have anygalactose after galactosylation reaction.

Sialylation of galactosylated EPO. Sialylation of galactosylated EPO wascarried out in 100 mM Tris pH containing 150 mM NaCl, 0.5 mg/ml EPO, 200mU/ml of ST3Gal3 and either 0.5 mM CMP-NAN or CMP-NAN-PEG (1 KDa) orCMP-NAN-PEG (10 KDa) for 48 hrs at 32 C. Almost all of the glycans thathave two galactose residues were fully sialylated (2 sialicacids/glycan) after sialylation reaction with CMP-NAN. MALDI-TOFanalysis confirmed the HPLC data.

PEGylation of galactosylated EPO. For PEGylation reactions usingCMP-NAN-PEG (1 KDa) and CMP-NAN-PEG (10 KDa), an aliquot of the reactionmixture was analyzed by SDS-PAGE (FIG. 125). The molecular weight of theEPO peptide increased with the addition of each sugar, and increasedmore dramatically in molecular weight after the PEGylation reactions.

In vitro bioassay of EPO. In vitro EPO bioassay (adapted from Hammerlinget al, 1996, 3. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 14: 1455-1469) is based on theresponsiveness of the TF-1 cell line to multiple levels of EPO. TF-1cells provide a good system for investigating the proliferation anddifferentiation of myeloid progenitor cells. This cell line wasestablished by T. Kitamura et al. in October 1987 from a heparinizedbone marrow aspiration sample from a 35 year old Japanese male withsevere pancytopenia. These cells are completely dependent on Interleukin3 or Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

The TF-1 cell line (ATCC, Cat. No. CRL-2003) was grown in RPMI+FBS10%+GM-CSF (12 ng/ml) and incubated at 37 C 5% CO₂. The cells were insuspension at a concentration of 5000 cells/ml of media, and 200 μl weredispensed in a 96 well plate. The cells were incubated with variousconcentrations of EPO (0.1 μg/ml to 10 μg/ml) for 48 hours. A MTTViability Assay was then done by adding 25 id of MTT at 5 mg/ml (SIGMAM5655), incubating the plate at 37° C. for 20 min to 4 hours, adding 100W of isopropanol/HCl solution (100 ml isopropanol+333 μl HCl 6N),reading the OD at 570 nm, and 630 nm or 690 nm, and subtracting thereadings at 630 nm or 690 nm from the readings at 570 nm.

FIG. 126 contains the results when sialylated EPO, and EPOglycoPEGylated with 1 KDa or 10 KDa PEG was subjected to an in vitro EPObioactivity test. The EPO glycoPEGylated with 1 KDa PEG had almost thesame activity as the unglycoPEGylated EPO when both were at aconcentration of approximately 5 μg/ml. The EPO glycoPEGylated with 10KDa PEG had approximately half the activity of the unglycoPEGylated EPOwhen both were at a concentration of approximately 5 μg/ml.

20. GlycoPEGylation of Interferon a Produced in CHO Cells

Preparation of Asialo-Interferon α. Interferon alpha produced from CHOcells is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4,0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂ and concentrated to 500 μL in a Centricon Plus20 centrifugal filter. The solution is incubated with 300 mU/mLNeuraminidase II (Vibrio cholerae) for 16 hours at 32° C. To monitor thereaction a small aliquot of the reaction is diluted with the appropriatebuffer and a IEF gel performed. The reaction mixture is then added toprewashed N-(p-aminophenyl)oxamic acid-agarose conjugate (800 μl/mLreaction volume) and the washed beads gently rotated for 24 hours at 4°C. The mixture is centrifuged at 10,000 rpm and the supernatant wascollected. The beads are washed 3 times with Tris-EDTA buffer, once with0.4 mL Tris-EDTA buffer and once with 0.2 mL of the Tris-EDTA buffer andall supernatants were pooled. The supernatant is dialyzed at 4° C.against 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ and then twice moreagainst 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃. The dialyzedsolution is then concentrated using a Centricon Plus 20 centrifugalfilter and stored at −20° C. The conditions for the IEF gel are runaccording to the procedures and reagents provided by Invitrogen. Samplesof native and desialylated G-CSF are dialyzed against water and analyzedby MALDI-TOF MS.

Preparation of Interferon-alpha-(alpha2,3)-Sialyl-PEG. Desialylatedinterferon-alpha is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 MNaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solution is incubated with 1 mM CMP-sialicacid-PEG and 0.1 U/mL of ST3Gal1 at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor theincorporation of sialic acid-PEG, a small aliquot of the reaction hadCMP-SA-PEG-fluorescent ligand added; the label incorporated into thepeptide is separated from the free label by gel filtration on a TosoHaas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). Thefluorescent label incorporation into the peptide is quantitated using anin-line fluorescent detector. After 2 days, the reaction mixture ispurified using a Toso Haas G3000SW preparative column using PBS buffer(pH 7.1) and collecting fractions based on UV absorption. The product ofthe reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according tothe procedures and reagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples of nativeand desialylated Interferon-alpha are dialyzed against water andanalyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

Preparation of Interferon-alpha-(alpha2,8)-Sialyl-PEG. Interferon-alphaproduced in CHO, which contains an alpha2,3-sialylated O-linked glycan,is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH7.2. The solution is incubated with 1 mM CMP-sialic acid-PEG and 0.1U/mL of CST-II at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor the incorporation ofsialic acid-PEG, a small aliquot of the reaction hasCMP-SA-PEG-fluorescent ligand added; the label incorporated into thepeptide is separated from the free label by gel filtration on a TosoHaas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). Thefluorescent label incorporation into the peptide is quantitated using anin-line fluorescent detector. After 2 days, the reaction mixture ispurified using a Toso Haas G3000SW preparative column using PBS buffer(pH 7.1) and collecting fractions based on UV absorption. The product ofthe reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according tothe procedures and reagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples of nativeand PEGylated interferon-alpha are dialyzed against water and analyzedby MALDI-TOF MS.

Preparation of Interferon-alpha-(alpha2,6)-Sialyl-PEG. Interferon-alpha,containing only O-linked GalNAc, was dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mMTris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solution is incubatedwith 1 mM CMP-sialic acid-PEG and 0.1 U/mL of ST6GalNAcI or II at 32° C.for 2 days. To monitor the incorporation of sialic acid-PEG, a smallaliquot of the reaction had CMP-SA-PEG-fluorescent ligand added; thelabel incorporated into the peptide is separated from the free label bygel filtration on a Toso Haas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer(pH 7.1). The fluorescent label incorporation into the peptide isquantitated using an in-line fluorescent detector. After 2 days, thereaction mixture is purified using a Toso Haas G3000SW preparativecolumn using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) and collecting fractions based on UVabsorption. The product of the reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE andIEF analysis according to the procedures and reagents supplied byInvitrogen. Samples of native and PEGylated interferon-alpha aredialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

21. GlcoPEGylation of G-CSF Produced in CHO Cells

Preparation of Asialo-Granulocyte-Colony Stimulation Factor (G-CSF).G-CSF produced in CHO cells is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris 50mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂ and concentrated to 500 μLin a Centricon Plus 20 centrifugal filter. The solution is incubatedwith 300 mU/mL Neuraminidase II (Vibrio cholerae) for 16 hours at 32° C.To monitor the reaction a small aliquot of the reaction is diluted withthe appropriate buffer and a IEF gel performed. The reaction mixture isthen added to prewashed N-(p-aminophenyl)oxamic acid-agarcise conjugate(800 μL/mL reaction volume) and the washed beads gently rotated for 24hours at 4° C. The mixture is centrifuged at 10,000 rpm and thesupernatant was collected. The beads are washed 3 times with Tris-EDTAbuffer, once with 0.4 mL Tris-EDTA buffer and once with 0.2 mL of theTris-EDTA buffer and all supernatants are pooled. The supernatant isdialyzed at 4° C. against 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃and then twice more against 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃.The dialyzed solution is then concentrated using a Centricon Plus 20centrifugal filter and stored at −20° C. The conditions for the IEF gelwere run according to the procedures and reagents provided byInvitrogen. Samples of native and desialylated G-CSF are dialyzedagainst water and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

Preparation of G-CSF-(alpha2,3)-Sialyl-PEG. Desialylated G-CSP wasdissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH7.2. The solution is incubated with 1 mM CMP-sialic acid-PEG and 0.1U/mL of ST3Gal1 at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor the incorporation ofsialic acid-PEG, a small aliquot of the reaction hadCMP-SA-PEG-fluorescent ligand added; the label incorporated into thepeptide is separated from the free label by gel filtration on a TosoHaas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). Thefluorescent label incorporation into the peptide is quantitated using anin-line fluorescent detector. After 2 days, the reaction mixture ispurified using a Toso Haas G3000SW preparative column using PBS buffer(pH 7.1) and collecting fractions based on UV absorption. The product ofthe reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according tothe procedures and reagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples of nativeand PEGylated G-CSF are dialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS.

Preparation of G-CSF-(alpha2,8)-Sialyl-PEG. G-CSF produced in CHO cells,which contains an alpha2,3-sialylated O-linked glycan, is dissolved at2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. Thesolution is incubated with 1 mM CMP-sialic acid-PEG and 0.1 U/mL ofCST-II at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor the incorporation of sialicacid-PEG, a small aliquot of the reaction has CMP-SA-PEG-fluorescentligand added; the label incorporated into the peptide is separated fromthe free label by gel filtration on a Toso Haas G3000SW analyticalcolumn using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). The fluorescent label incorporationinto the peptide is quantitated using an in-line fluorescent detector.After 2 days, the reaction mixture is purified using a Toso Haas G3000SWpreparative column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) and collecting fractionsbased on UV absorption. The product of the reaction is analyzed usingSDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according to the procedures and reagentssupplied by Invitrogen. Samples of native and PEGylated G-CSF aredialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

Preparation of GCSF-(alpha2,6)-Sialyl-PEG. G-CSF, containing onlyO-linked GalNAc, is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 MNaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solution is incubated with 1 mM CMP-sialicacid-PEG and 0.1 U/mL of ST6GalNAcI or II at 32° C. for 2 days. Tomonitor the incorporation of sialic acid-PEG, a small aliquot of thereaction has CMP-SA-PEG-fluorescent ligand added; the label incorporatedinto the peptide is separated from the free label by gel filtration on aToso Haas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). Thefluorescent label incorporation into the peptide is quantitated using anin-line fluorescent detector. After 2 days, the reaction mixture ispurified using a Toso Haas G3000SW preparative column using PBS buffer(pH 7.1) and collecting fractions based on UV absorption. The product ofthe reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according tothe procedures and reagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples of nativeand PEGylated G-CSF are dialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS.

22. GlycoPEGylation of O-Linked Glycans of EPO Produced in CHO Cells

Preparation of O-linked EPO-SA-PEG (10 KDa). Asialo-EPO, originallyproduced in CHO cells, is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solution is incubated with 5 mM CMP-SAand 0.1 U/mL of ST3Gal3 at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor theincorporation of sialic acid onto the N-linked glycans, a small aliquotof the reaction had CMP-SA-¹⁴C added; the peptide is separated by gelfiltration on a Toso Haas G2000SW analytical column using methanol,water and the product detected using a radiation detector. When thereaction is complete, the solution is concentrated using a Centricon-20filter. The remaining solution is buffer exchanged with 0.05 M Tris (pH7.2), 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ to a final volume of 7.2 mL until theCMP-SA could no longer be detected. The retentate is then resuspended in0.05 M Tris (pH 7.2), 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ at 2.5 mg/mL protein. Thesolution is incubated with 1 mM CMP-SA-PEG (10 KDa) and ST3Gal1, toglycosylate the O-linked site, at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor theincorporation of sialic acid-PEG, a small aliquot of the reaction isseparated by gel filtration suing a Toso Haas TSK-gel-3000 analyticalcolumn eluting with PBS pH 7.0 and analyzing by UV detection. When thereaction is complete, the reaction mixture is purified using a Toso HaasTSK-gel-3000 preparative column using PBS buffer (pH 7.0) collectingfractions based on UV absorption. The product of the reaction isanalyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according to the procedures andreagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water andanalyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

23. GlycoPEGylation of an Antibody

This example sets forth the procedures to PEGylate the O-linked glycansof an antibody molecule. Here, Enbrel™ is used as an example, howeverone of skill in the art will appreciate that this procedure can be usedwith many antibody molecules.

Preparation of Enbrel™-SA-PEG (10 KDa). Enbrel™(TNF-receptor-IgG₁-chimera), either with the O-linked glycans sialylatedprior to PEGylation or not, is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl,0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM MnCl₂, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solution is incubatedwith 5 mM UDP-galactose and 0.1 U/mL of galactosyltransferase at 32° C.for 2 days to cap the Fc region glycans with galactose. To monitor theincorporation of galactose, a small aliquot of the reaction has¹⁴C-galactose-UDP ligand added; the label incorporated into the peptideis separated from the free label by gel filtration on a Toso HaasG2000SW analytical column in methanol and water. The radioactive labelincorporation into the peptide is quantitated using an in-line radiationdetector.

When the reaction is complete, the solution is incubated with 1 mMCMP-sialic acid-linker-PEG (10 KDa) and 0.1 U/mL of ST3Gal3 at 32° C.for 2 days. To monitor the incorporation of sialic acid-linker-PEG, thepeptide is separated by gel filtration on a Toso Haas G3000SW analyticalcolumn using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). When the reaction is complete, thereaction mixture is purified using a Toso Haas TSK-Gel-3000 preparativecolumn using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) and collecting fractions based on UVabsorption. The fractions containing product are combined, concentrated,buffer exchanged and then freeze-dried. The product of the reaction isanalyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according to the procedures andreagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water andanalyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

24. GlycoPEGylation of Remicade™ Antibody

This example sets forth the procedure to glycoPEGylate a recombinantantibody molecule by introducing PEG molecules to the Fc region glycans.Here Remicade™, a TNF-R:IgG Fc region fusion protein, is the exemplarypeptide.

Preparation of Remicade™-Gal-PEG (10 KDa). Remicade™ is dissolved at 2.5mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM MnCl₂, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2.The solution is incubated with 1 mM UDP-galactose-PEG (10 KDa) and 0.1U/mL of galactosyltransferase at 32° C. for 2 days to introduce the PEGin the Fc region glycans. To monitor the incorporation of galactose, asmall aliquot of the reaction has ¹⁴C-galactose-UDP ligand added; thelabel incorporated into the peptide is separated from the free label bygel filtration on a Toso Haas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer(pH 7.1). The radioactive label incorporation into the peptide isquantitated using an in-line radiation detector.

When the reaction is complete, the reaction mixture is purified using aToso Haas TSK-Gel-3000 preparative column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) andcollecting fractions based on UV absorption. The fractions containingproduct are combined, concentrated, buffer exchanged and thenfreeze-dried. The product of the reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE andIEF analysis according to the procedures and reagents supplied byInvitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS.

25. Generation and PEGylation of GlcNAc-ASN Structures: TPA Produced inYeast

This example sets forth the preparation of PEGylated GlcNAc-Asnstructures on a peptide such as TPA expressed in yeast.

Yeast expression is expected to result in a TPA which contains a singleN-linked mannan-type structure. This recombinant glycoprotein is firsttreated with endoglycosidase H to generate GlcNAc structures on theasparagine (Asn) residues on the peptide.

The GlcNAc-Asn structures on the peptide/protein backbone are then bemodified with galactose or galactose-PEG using UDP-galactose orUDP-galactose-6-PEG, respectively, and a galactosyltransferase such asGalT1. In one case, the galactose-PEG is the terminal residue. In thesecond case, the galactose is further modified with SA-PEG using aCMP-SA-PEG donor and a sialyltransferase such as ST3GalIII. In anotherembodiment, the GlcNAc-Asn structures on the peptide/protein backbonemay be galactosylated and sialylated as described above, and thenfurther sialylated using CMP-SA-PEG and an α2,8-sialyltransferase suchas the enzyme encoded by the Campylobacter jejuni cst-II gene.

26. Generation and PEGylation of GlcNAc-ASN Structures: GM-CSF Producedin Saccharomyces.

This example sets forth the preparation of Tissue-type Activator withPEGylated GlcNAc-Asn structures.

Recombinant GM-CSF expressed in yeast is expected to contain 2 N-linkedand 2 O-linked glycans. The N-linked glycans should be of the branchedmannan type. This recombinant glycoprotein is treated with anendoglycosidase from the group consisting of endoglycosidase H,endoglycosidase-F1, endoglycosidase-F2, endoglycosidase-F3,endoglycosidase-M either alone or in combination with mannosidases I, IIand III to generate GlcNAc nubs on the asparagine (Asn) residues on thepeptide/protein backbone.

The GlcNAc-Asn structures on the peptide/protein backbone is then bemodified with galactose or galactose-PEG using UDP-galactose orUDP-galactose-6-PEG, respectively, and a galactosyltransferase such asGalT1. In one case the galactose-PEG is the terminal residue. In thesecond case the galactose is further modified with SA-PEG using aCMP-SA-PEG donor and a sialyltransferase such as ST3Gal1. In anotherembodiment the GlcNAc-Asn structures on the peptide/protein backbone canbe galactosylated and sialylated as described above, and then furthersialylated using CMP-SA-PEG and an α2,8-sialyltranferase such as theenzyme encoded by the Campylobacter jejuni cst-II gene.

C. Glyco-Conjugtion of Small Molecules

27. Synthesis of CMP-SA-Levulinate

This example sets forth the procedure for the synthesis ofCMP-SA-levulinate.

Preparation of 2-levulinamido-2-deoxy-D-mannopyranose.Isobutylchloroformate (100 μL, 0.77 mmol) was added dropwise to asolution of levulinic acid (86 μL, 0.84 mmol), anhydrous THF (3 mL) andtriethylamine (127 μL, 0.91 mmol). This solution was stirred for 3 hoursat room temperature and was then added dropwise to a solution containingD-mannosamine hydrochloride (151 mg, 0.7 mmol), triethylamine (127 μL,0.91 mmol), THF (2 mL) and water (2 mL). The reaction mixture wasstirred 15 hours and then concentrated to dryness by rotary evaporation.Chromatography (silica, step gradient of 5-15% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) was used toisolate the product yielding 0.156 g (73% yield) of a white solid:R_(f)=0.41 (silica, CHCl₃/MeOH/water 6/4/1); ¹H NMR (D₂O, 500 MHz) δ2.23 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.57 (td, J=6.54, 3.68, 2H) 2.63 (t, J=6.71,2H), 2.86-2.90 (m, 4H), 3.42 (m, 1H), 3.53 (t, J=9.76, 1H), 3.64 (t,J=9.43, 1H), 3.80-3.91 (m, 4H), 4.04 (dd, J=9.79, 4.71, 1H), 4.31 (dd,J=4.63, 1.14, 1H), 4.45 (dd, J=4.16,1.13, 1H), 5.02 (d, J=1.29, 1H),5.11 (s, J=1.30, 1H), MS (ES); calculated for C₁₁H₁₉NO₇, 277.27; found[M+1] 277.9.

Preparation of5-levulinamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate.Sodium pyruvate (0.616 g, 5.6 mmol) and N-acetylneuraminic acid aldolase(50 U) was added to a solution of 2-levulinamido-2-deoxy-D-mannopyranose(0.156 g, 0.56 mmol) in 0.1 M HEPES (H 7.5). The reaction mixture washeated to 37° C. for 20 hours and after freezing. The reaction mixturewas then filtered through C18 silica, frozen and freeze-dried. The crudesolid was purified using flash chromatography (silica, first using10-40% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ and then CH₂Cl₂/MeOH/H₂O 6/4/0.5). Appropriatefractions were combined and concentrated yielding 45 mg (80% yield) of awhite solid: R_(f)=0.15 (silica, CHCl₃/MeOH/water 6/4/1); ¹H NMR (D₂O,500 MHz) δ 1.82 (t, J=11.9, 1H), 2.21 (dd, J=13.76, 4.84, 1H), 2.23 (s,3H), 2.57 (app q, J=6.6, 2H), 2.86-2.95 (m, 2H), 3.15-3.18 (m, 1H),3.28-3.61 (complex, 1H), 3.60 (dd, J=11.91, 6.66, 1H), 3.75 (td, J=6.65,2.62, 1H), 3.84 (dd, J=11.89, 2.65, 1H), 3.88-4.01 (complex, 2H), 4.04(td, J=11.18, 4.67, 1H), MS (ES); calculated for C₁₄H₂₃NO₁₀, 365.33;found ([M−1]⁻), 363.97.

Preparation ofcytidine-5′-monophosphoryl-(5-levulinamido-3,5-dideoxy-α-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate).5-Levulinamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosuronate(50 mg, 137 μmol) was dissolved in 2 mL of 100 mM HEPES pH 7.5 bufferand 1 M MnCl₂ (300 μL, 300 μmol) was added. CTP-2Na⁺ (79 mg, 1.5 μmol)was dissolved in 5 mL HEPES buffer and was added to the sugar. Thesialyltransferase/CMP-neuraminic acid synthetase fusion enzyme (11 U)was added and the reaction mixture stirred at room temperature for 45hours. The reaction mixture was filtered through a 10,000 MWCO filterand the filtrate, which contained the product of the reaction, was useddirectly without further purification: R_(f)=0.35 (silica,IPA/water/NH₄OH 7/2/1).

28. Glucocerebrosidase-mannose-6-phosphate Produced in CHO Cells

This example sets forth the procedure to glycoconjugatemannose-6-phosphate to a peptide produced in CHO cells such asglucocerebrosidase.

Preparation of asialo-glucoceramidase. Glucocerebrosidase produced inCHO cells is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4,0.15 M NaCl, and is incubated with 300 mU/mL sialidase-agarose conjugatefor 16 hours at 32° C. To monitor the reaction a small aliquot of thereaction is diluted with the appropriate buffer and a IEF gel andSDS-PAGE performed according to Invitrogen procedures. The mixture iscentrifuged at 10,000 rpm and the supernatant is collected. The beadsare washed 3 times with Tris-EDTA buffer, once with 0.4 mL Tris-EDTAbuffer, and once with 0.2 mL of the Tris-EDTA buffer. All supernatantsare pooled. The supernatant is dialyzed at 4° C. against 50 M Tris-HClpH 7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ and then twice more against 50 mM Tris-HClpH 7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃. The dialyzed solution is then concentratedusing a Centricon Plus 20 centrifugal filter. The product of thereaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according to theprocedures and reagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples are dialyzedagainst water and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

Preparation of Glucocerebrosidase-SA-linker-Mannose-6-phosphate(procedure 1). Asialo-glucocerebrosidase from above is dissolved at 2.5mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solutionis incubated with 1 mM CMP-sialic acid-linker-Man-6-phosphate and 0.1U/mL of ST3Gal3 at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor the incorporation ofsialic acid-linker-Man-6-phosphate, a small aliquot of the reaction hadCMP-SA-PEG-fluorescent ligand added; the label incorporated into thepeptide is separated from the free label by gel filtration on a TosoHaas TSK-Gel-3000 analytical column using PBS a buffer (pH 7.1). Thefluorescent label incorporation into the peptide is quantitated using anin-line fluorescent detector. When the reaction is complete, thereaction mixture is purified using a Toso Haas TSK-Gel-3000 preparativecolumn using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) and collecting fractions based on UVabsorption. The product of the reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE andIEF analysis according to the procedures and reagents supplied byInvitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS.

Preparation of Glucocerebrosidase-SA-linker-Mannose-6-phosphate(procedure 2). Glucocerebrosidase, produced in CHO but incompletelysialylated, is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl,0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solution is incubated with 1 mM CMP-sialicacid-linker-Man-6-phosphate and 0.1 U/mL of ST3Gal3 at 32° C. for 2days. To monitor the incorporation of sialicacid-linker-Man-6-phosphate, a small aliquot of the reaction hadCMP-SA-PEG-fluorescent ligand added; the label incorporated into thepeptide is separated from the free label by gel filtration on a TosoHaas TSK-Gel-3000 analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). Thefluorescent label incorporation into the peptide is quantitated using anin-line fluorescent detector. When the reaction is complete, thereaction mixture is purified using a Toso Haas TSK-Gel-3000 preparativecolumn using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) and collecting fractions based on UVabsorption. The product of the reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE andIEF analysis according to the procedures and reagents supplied byInvitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS.

29. Glycoconjugation of Mithrmycin to an Antibody

This example sets forth the procedures to glycoconjugate a smallmolecule, such as mithramycin to Fc region glycans of an antibodymolecule produced in mammalian cells. Here, the antibody Herceptin™ isused, but one of skill in the art will appreciate that the method can beused with many other antibodies.

Preparation of Herceptin™-Gal-linker-mithramycin. Herceptin™ isdissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM MnCl₂, 0.05%NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solution is incubated with 1 mMUDP-galactose-linker-mithramycin and 0.1 U/mL of galactosyltransferaseat 32° C. for 2 days to introduce the mithramycin in the Fc regionglycans. To monitor the incorporation of galactose, a small aliquot ofthe reaction has ¹⁴C-galactose-UDP ligand added; the label incorporatedinto the peptide is separated from the free label by gel filtration on aToso Haas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). Theradioactive label incorporation into the peptide is quantitated using anin-line radiation detector.

When the reaction is complete, the reaction mixture is purified using aToso Haas TSK-Gel-3000 preparative column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) andcollecting fractions based on UW absorption. The fractions containingproduct are combined, concentrated, buffer exchanged and thenfreeze-dried. The product of the reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE andIEF analysis according to the procedures and reagents supplied byInvitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS.

30. Glycoconiugation of Geldanamycin to an Antibody

This example sets forth the glycoconjugation of a small molecule, suchas geldanamycin, to the Fc region glycans of an antibody produced in CHOcells, such as Rituxan™. Here, the antibody Rituxan™ is used, but one ofskill in the art will appreciate that the method can be used with manyother antibodies.

Preparation of Rituxan™-Gal-linker-geldanamycin. Rituxan™ is dissolvedat 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM MnCl₂, 0.05% NaN₃, pH7.2. The solution is incubated with 1 mMUDP-galactose-linker-geldanamycin and 0.1 U/mL of galactosyltransferaseat 32° C. for 2 days to introduce the geldanamycin in the Fc regionglycans. To monitor the incorporation of galactose, a small aliquot ofthe reaction has ¹⁴C-galactose-UDP ligand added; the label incorporatedinto the peptide is separated from the free label by gel filtration on aToso Haas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). Theradioactive label incorporation into the peptide is quantitated using anin-line radiation detector.

When the reaction is complete, the reaction mixture is purified using aToso Haas TSK-Gel-3000 preparative column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) andcollecting fractions based on UV absorption. The fractions containingproduct are combined, concentrated, buffer exchanged and thenfreeze-dried. The product of the reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE andIEF analysis according to the procedures and reagents supplied byInvitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS.

D. Glyco-conjugation of Peptides

31. Transferrin-GDNF

This example sets forth the procedures for the glycoconjugation ofproteins, and in particular, transferrin is glycoconjugated to GDNF.Transferrin-SA-Linker-Gal-UDP is prepared from transferrin. Thegalactose residue is removed from GNDF glycans, andTransferrin-SA-Linker-Gal-UDP is conjugated to GNDF glycans using agalactosyltransferase.

Preparation of a galacto-GDNF. GDNF produced in NSO cells (NSO murinemyeloma cells) is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris 50 mM Tris-HCl pH7.4, 0.15 M NaCl, and is incubated with 300 mU/mLbeta-galactosidase-agarose conjugate for 16 hours at 32° C. To monitorthe reaction a small aliquot of the reaction is diluted with theappropriate buffer and a IEF gel performed according to Invitrogenprocedures. The mixture is centrifuged at 10,000 rpm and the supernatantis collected. The supernatant is dialyzed at 4° C. against 50 mMTris-HCl pH 7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ and then twice more against 50 mMTris-HCl pH 7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃. The dialyzed solution is thenconcentrated using a Centricon Plus 20 centrifugal filter and stored at−20° C. The conditions for the IEF gel are run according to theprocedures and reagents provided by Invitrogen. Samples are dialyzedagainst water and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

Preparation of Transferrin-SA-Linker-Gal-UDP. Asialo-transferrin isdissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH7.2. The solution is incubated with CMP-sialic acid-linker-Gal-UDP(molar amount to add 1 molar equivalent of nucleotide sugar totransferrin) and 0.1 U/mL of ST3Gal3 at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitorthe incorporation of sialic acid, a small aliquot of the reaction has¹⁴C-SA-UDP ligand added; the label incorporated into the peptide isseparated from the free label by gel filtration on a Toso Haas G3000SWanalytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). The radioactive labelincorporation into the peptide is quantitated using an in-line radiationdetector.

The solution is incubated with 5 mM CMP-sialic acid and 0.1 U/mL ofST3Gal3 (to cap any unreacted transferrin glycans) at 32° C. for 2 days.The incorporation into the peptide is quantitated using an in-line UVdetector. After 2 days, the reaction mixture is purified using a TosoHaas G3000SW preparative column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) and collectingfractions based on UV absorption. The product of the reaction isanalyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according to the procedures andreagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water andanalyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

Preparation of Transferrin-SA-Linker-Gal-GDNF. Thetransferrin-SA-Linker-Gal-UDP prepared as described above is dissolvedat 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM MnCl₂, 0.05% NaN₃, pH7.2. The solution is incubated with 2.5 mg/mL a galacto-GDNF and 0.1U/mL of galactosyltransferase at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor theincorporation of galactose, a small aliquot of the reaction has¹⁴C-galactose-UDP ligand added; the label incorporated into the peptideis separated from the free label by gel filtration on a Toso HaasG3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1). The radioactivelabel incorporation into the peptide is quantitated using an in-lineradiation detector.

When the reaction is complete, the solution is incubated with 5 mMUDP-Gal and 0.1 U/mL of galactosyltransferase (to cap any unreactedtransferrin glycans) at 32° C. for 2 days followed by addition of 5 mMCMP-SA and 0.1 U/mL of ST3Gal3. After 2 additional days, the reactionmixture is purified using a Toso Haas G3000SW preparative column usingPBS buffer (pH 7.1) collecting fractions based on UV absorption. Theproduct of the reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysisaccording to the procedures and reagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samplesare dialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

32. Glucocerebrosidase-transferrin

This example sets forth the procedures for the glycoconjugation ofproteins, and in particular, transferrin is glycoconjugated toglucocerebrosidase. The GlcNAc-ASN structures are created onglucoceraminidase, and Transferrin-SA-Linker-Gal-UDP is conjugated toGNDF GlcNAc-ASN structures using galactosyltransferase.

Preparation of GlcNAc-glucocerebrosidase (Cerezyme™). Cerezyme™(glucocerebrosidase) produced in CHO cells is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in50 mM Tris 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 0.15 M NaCl, and is incubated with 300mU/mL Endo-H-agarose conjugate for 16 hours at 32° C. To monitor thereaction a small aliquot of the reaction is diluted with the appropriatebuffer and a IEF gel and SDS-PAGE performed according to Invitrogenprocedures. The mixture is centrifuged at 10,000 rpm and the supernatantis collected. The beads are washed 3 times with Tris-EDTA buffer, oncewith 0.4 mL Tris-EDTA buffer and once with 0.2 mL of the Tris-EDTAbuffer and all supernatants are pooled. The supernatant is dialyzed at4° C. against 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃ and then twicemore against 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 1 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃. The dialyzedsolution is then concentrated using a Centricon Plus 20 centrifugalfilter. The product of the reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEFanalysis according to the procedures and reagents supplied byInvitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS.

Preparation of Transferrin-SA-Linker-Gal-glucocerebrosidase.Transferrin-SA-Linker-Gal-UDP from above is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM MnCl₂, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solutionis incubated with 2.5 mg/mL GlcNAc-glucocerebrosidase and 0.1 U/mL ofgalactosyltransferase at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor the incorporationof glucocerebrosidase, the peptide is separated by gel filtration on aToso Haas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) and theproduct detected by UV absorption. The reaction mixture is then purifiedusing a Toso Haas G3000SW preparative column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1)collecting fractions based on UV absorption. The product of the reactionis analyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according to the proceduresand reagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against waterand analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

33. EPO-Transferrin

This example sets forth the procedures for the glycoconjugation ofproteins to O -linked glycans, and in particular, transferrin isglycoconjugated to EPO. The sialic acid residue is removed from O-linkedglycan of EPO, and EPO-SA-linker-SA-CMP is prepared.EPO-SA-linker-SA-CMP is glycoconjugated to asialotransferrin withST3Gal3.

Preparation of O-linked asialo-EPO. EPO (erythropoietin) produced in CHOcells is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4,0.15 M NaCl, and is incubated with 300 mU/mL sialidase (Vibriocholera)-agarose conjugate for 16 hours at 32° C. To monitor thereaction a small aliquot of the reaction is diluted with the appropriatebuffer and a IEF gel performed according to Invitrogen procedures. Themixture is centrifuged at 10,000 rpm and the supernatant is collected.The supernatant is concentrated to a EPO concentration of about 2.5mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solutionis incubated with 5 mM CMP-sialic acid and 0.1 U/mL of ST3Gal3 at 32° C.for 2 days. To monitor the incorporation of sialic acid, a small aliquotof the reaction had CMP-SA-fluorescent ligand added; the labelincorporated into the peptide is separated from the free label by gelfiltration on a Toso Haas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH7.1). When the reaction is complete, the reaction mixture is purifiedusing a Toso Haas G3000SW preparative column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1)and collecting fractions based on UV absorption. The product of thereaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according to theprocedures and reagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples are dialyzedagainst water and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

Preparation of EPO-A-linker-SA-CMP. The O-linked asialo-EPO 2.5 mg/mL in50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solution isincubated with 1 mM CMP-sialic acid-linker-SA-CMP and 0.1 U/mL ofST3Gal1 at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor the incorporation of sialicacid-linker-SA-CMP, the peptide is separated by gel filtration on a TosoHaas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1).

After 2 days, the reaction mixture is purified using a Toso Haas G3000SWpreparative column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) and collecting fractionsbased on UV absorption. The product of the reaction is analyzed usingSDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according to the procedures and reagentssupplied by Invitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water and analyzedby MALDI-TOF MS.

Preparation of Transferrin-SA-Linker-SA-EPO. EPO-SA-Linker-SA-CMP fromabove is dissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05%NaN₃, pH 7.2. The solution is incubated with 2.5 mg/mLasialo-transferrin and 0.1 U/mL of ST3Gal3 at 32° C. for 2 days. Tomonitor the incorporation of transferrin, the peptide is separated bygel filtration on a Toso Haas G3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer(pH 7.1) and the product detected by UV absorption. When the reaction iscomplete, the solution is incubated with 5 mM CMP-SA and 0.1 U/mL ofST3Gal3 (to cap any unreacted transferrin glycans) at 32° C. for 2 days.The reaction mixture is purified using a Toso Haas G3000SW preparativecolumn using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) collecting fractions based on UVabsorption. The product of the reaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE andIEF analysis according to the procedures and reagents supplied byInvitrogen. Samples are dialyzed against water and analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS.

34. EPO-GDNF

This example sets forth the procedures for the glycoconjugation ofproteins, and in particular, the preparation of EPO-SA-Linker-SA-GDNF.

Preparation of EPOSA-Linker-SA-GDNF. EPO-SA-Linker-SA-CMP from above isdissolved at 2.5 mg/mL in 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH7.2. The solution is incubated with 2.5 mg/nl GDNF (produced in NSO) and0.1 U/mL of ST3Gal3 at 32° C. for 2 days. To monitor the incorporationof GDNF, the peptide is separated by gel filtration on a Toso HaasG3000SW analytical column using PBS buffer (pH 7.1) and the productdetected by UV absorption. When the reaction is complete, the solutionis incubated with 5 mM CMP-SA and 0.1 U/mL of ST3Gal3 (to cap anyunreacted GDNF glycans) at 32° C. for 2 days. The reaction mixture ispurified using a Toso Haas G3000SW preparative column using PBS buffer(pH 7.1) collecting fractions based on UV absorption. The product of thereaction is analyzed using SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis according to theprocedures and reagents supplied by Invitrogen. Samples are dialyzedagainst water and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

The disclosures of each and every patent, patent application, andpublication cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

While this invention has been disclosed with reference to specificembodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments and variations ofthis invention may be devised by others skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appendedclaims are intended to be construed to include all such embodiments andequivalent variations.

1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptablediluent and a covalent conjugate between a poly(alkylene oxide) and aglycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide, wherein said poly(alkyleneoxide) is conjugated to said peptide via a glycosyl linking groupwherein said glycosyl linking group is interposed between and covalentlylinked to both said peptide and said poly(alkylene oxide), wherein saidcovalent conjugate is formed by contacting said peptide with at leastone glycosyltransferase and at least one modified sugar donor underconditions suitable for said at least one glycosyltransferase totransfer a modified sugar moiety of said at least one modified sugardonor to said peptide, thereby forming said covalent conjugate, andwherein said modified sugar moiety comprises said poly(alkylene oxide).2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein said polyalkyleneoxide is a poly(ethylene glycol).
 3. The pharmaceutical compositionaccording to claim 2, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) has a molecularweight that is essentially homodisperse.
 4. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 2, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) is a memberselected from linear poly(ethylene glycol) and branched poly(ethyleneglycol).
 5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, wherein saidpoly(ethylene glycol) is monomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol).
 6. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein said glycosyltransferaseis an oligosaccharyltransferase.
 7. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 1, wherein said glycosyltransferase is selected from the groupconsisting of ST3Gal3, ST3Gal1, ST6GalNAcI and CST-II.
 8. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 1 wherein, following said formingsaid covalent conjugate, said peptide is contacted with a sialic aciddonor and a sialyltransferase under conditions suitable for saidsialyltransferase to transfer a sialic acid residue onto said peptide,thereby transferring a sialic acid moiety onto said peptide.
 9. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein said peptide is selectedfrom the group consisting of granulocyte colony stimulating factor,interferon-alpha, interferon-beta, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, chimeric tumor necrosisfactor receptor, urokinase, chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIaantibody, chimeric anti-HER2 antibody, chimeric anti-respiratorysyncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, DNase, chimericanti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, human insulin, hepatitis B sAg,human growth hormone, BMP-2, BMP-52, FGF, and NT-3.
 10. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein said poly(alkylene oxide)and a glycosyl linking group precursor are linked as a covalentlyattached unit to said peptide via the action of an enzyme, said enzymeconverting said precursor to said glycosyl linking group, therebyforming said covalent conjugate.
 11. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 1, wherein said glycosyl linking unit is a member selected fromthe group consisting of a sialic acid residue, a Gal residue, a GlcNAcresidue and a GalNAc residue.
 12. A pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent and a covalentconjugate between a poly(alkylene oxide) and a peptide, wherein saidpeptide has the formula:

wherein AA is a terminal or internal amino acid residue of said peptide;X¹-X² is a saccharide covalently linked to said AA, wherein X¹ is afirst glycosyl residue; and X² is a second glycosyl residue covalentlylinked to X¹, wherein X¹ and X² are selected from monosaccharyl andoligosaccharyl residues; wherein a cell-free, in vitro method of formingsaid covalent conjugate comprises: (a) removing X² or a saccharylsubunit thereof from said peptide, thereby forming a truncated glycan;and (b) contacting said truncated glycan with at least oneglycosyltransferase and at least one modified sugar donor underconditions suitable for said at least one glycosyltransferase totransfer a modified sugar moiety of said at least one modified sugardonor to said truncated glycan, wherein said modified sugar moietycomprises a poly(alkylene oxide), thereby forming said covalentconjugate of said peptide.
 13. The pharmaceutical composition of claim12, further comprising: (c) prior to step (b), removing a group added tosaid saccharide during post-translational modification.
 14. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 13, wherein said group is a memberselected from phosphate, sulfate, carboxylate and esters thereof. 15.The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12, wherein the peptide has theformula:

wherein Z is a member selected from O, S, NH, and a crosslinker.
 16. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 12, wherein said poly(alkyleneoxide) is a poly(ethylene glycol).
 17. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 16, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) has a molecular weight thatis essentially homodisperse.
 18. The pharmaceutical composition of claim16, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) is a member selected from linearpoly(ethylene glycol) and branched poly(ethylene glycol).
 19. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) is monomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol).
 20. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 12, wherein said glycosyltransferase is anoligosaccharyltransferase.
 21. The pharmaceutical composition of claim12, wherein said glycosyltransferase is selected from the groupconsisting of ST3Gal3, ST3Gal1, ST6GalNAcI and CST-II.
 22. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 12 wherein, following said formingsaid covalent conjugate, said peptide is contacted with a sialic aciddonor and a sialyltransferase under conditions suitable for saidsialyltransferase to transfer a sialic acid residue onto said peptide,thereby transferring a sialic acid moiety onto said peptide.
 23. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 12, wherein said peptide is selectedfrom the group consisting of granulocyte colony stimulating factor,interferon-alpha, interferon-beta, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, chimeric tumor necrosisfactor receptor, urokinase, chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIaantibody, chimeric anti-HER2 antibody, chimeric anti-respiratorysyncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, DNase, chimericanti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, human insulin, hepatitis B sAg,human growth hormone, BMP-2, BMP-52, FGF.
 24. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 12, wherein said peptide has the formula:

wherein X⁹ and X¹⁰ are independently selected from monosaccharyl andoligosaccharyl residues; and m, n and f are integers selected from 0and
 1. 25. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12, wherein saidpeptide has the formula:

wherein X¹¹ and X¹² are independently selected glycosyl moieties; and rand x are integers independently selected from 0 and
 1. 26. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 25, wherein X¹¹ and X¹² are(mannose)_(q), wherein q is selected from the integers between 1 and 20,and when q is three or greater, (mannose)_(q) is selected from linearand branched structures.
 27. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 25,wherein said glycosyltransferase comprises: (i) GNT-1; (ii) GalT1; and(iii) ST3Gal3.
 28. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12, whereinsaid peptide has the formula:

wherein X¹³, X¹⁴, and X¹⁵ are independently selected glycosyl residues;and g, h, i, j, k, and p are independently selected from the integers 0and 1, with the proviso that at least one of g, h, i,j, k and p is 1.29. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 28, wherein X¹⁴ and X¹⁵ aremembers independently selected from GlcNAc and Sia; and i and k areindependently selected from the integers 0 and 1, with the proviso thatat least one of i and k is 1, and if k is 1, g, h, and j are
 0. 30. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 12, wherein said peptide has theformula:

wherein X¹⁶ is a member selected from:

wherein s, u and i are independently selected from the integers 0 and 1.31. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12, wherein said removingutilizes a glycosidase.
 32. A pharmaceutical composition comprising apharmaceutically acceptable diluent and a covalent conjugate between apoly(alkylene oxide) and a peptide, said peptide having the formula:

wherein AA is a terminal or internal amino acid residue of said peptide;X¹ is a glycosyl residue covalently linked to said AA, selected frommonosaccharyl and oligosaccharyl residues; and u is an integer selectedfrom 0 and 1, wherein a cell-free, in vitro method of forming saidcovalent conjugate comprises: contacting said peptide with at least oneglycosyltransferase and at least one modified sugar donor underconditions suitable for said at least one glycosyltransferase totransfer a modified sugar moiety of said at least one modified sugardonor to said peptide, wherein said modified sugar moiety comprises apoly(alkylene oxide), thereby forming said covalent conjugate of saidpeptide.
 33. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 32, wherein saidpoly(alkylene oxide) is a poly(ethylene glycol).
 34. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 33, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) has amolecular weight that is essentially homodisperse.
 35. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 33, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) is a member selected from linear poly(ethylene glycol) andbranched poly(ethylene glycol).
 36. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 33, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) ismonomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol).
 37. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 32, wherein said glycosyltransferase is anoligosaccharyltransferase.
 38. The pharmaceutical composition of claim32, wherein said glycosyltransferase is selected from the groupconsisting of ST3Gal3, ST3Gal1, ST6GalNAcI and CST-II.
 39. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 32 wherein, following said formingsaid covalent conjugate, said peptide is contacted with a sialic aciddonor and a sialyltransferase under conditions suitable for saidsialyltransferase to transfer a sialic acid residue onto said peptide,thereby transferring a sialic acid moiety onto said peptide.
 40. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 32, wherein said peptide is selectedfrom the group consisting of granulocyte colony stimulating factor,interferon-alpha, interferon-beta, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, chimeric tumor necrosisfactor receptor, urokinase, chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIaantibody, chimeric anti-HER2 antibody, chimeric anti-respiratorysyncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, DNase, chimericanti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, human insulin, hepatitis B sAg,human growth hormone, BMP-2, BMP-52, FGF.
 41. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent and acovalent conjugate between a poly(alkylene oxide) and a peptide, saidpeptide having the formula:

wherein r, s, and t are integers independently selected from 0 and 1,wherein a cell-free, in vitro method of forming said covalent conjugatecomprises: (a) contacting said peptide with at least oneglycosyltransferase and at least one modified sugar donor underconditions suitable for said at least one glycosyltransferase totransfer a modified sugar moiety of said at least one modified sugardonor to said peptide, wherein said modified sugar moiety comprises apoly(alkylene oxide), thereby forming said covalent conjugate of saidpeptide.
 42. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 41, wherein saidpoly(alkylene glycol) is a poly(ethylene glycol).
 43. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 42, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) has amolecular weight that is essentially homodisperse.
 44. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 42, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) is a member selected from linear poly(ethylene glycol) andbranched poly(ethylene glycol).
 45. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 42, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) ismonomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol).
 46. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 41, wherein said glycosyltransferase is anoligosaccharyltransferase.
 47. The pharmaceutical composition of claim41, wherein said glycosyltransferase is selected from the groupconsisting of ST3Gal3, ST3Gal1, ST6GalNAcI and CST-II.
 48. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 41, wherein said glycosyltransferasecomprises: (i) GalT1; and (ii) ST3Gal3.
 49. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 41 wherein, following said forming said covalentconjugate, said peptide is contacted with a sialic acid donor and asialyltransferase under conditions suitable for said sialyltransferaseto transfer a sialic acid residue onto said peptide, therebytransferring a sialic acid moiety onto said peptide.
 50. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 41, wherein said peptide is selectedfrom the group consisting of granulocyte colony stimulating factor,interferon-alpha, interferon-beta, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, chimeric tumor necrosisfactor receptor, urokinase, chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIaantibody, chimeric anti-HER2 antibody, chimeric anti-respiratorysyncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, DNase, chimericanti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, human insulin, hepatitis B sAg,human growth hormone, BMP-2, BMP-52, FGF.
 51. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent and acovalent conjugate between a poly(alkylene oxide) and a peptide, saidpeptide having the formula:

wherein AA is a terminal or internal amino acid residue of said peptide;X¹-X² is a saccharide covalently linked to said AA, wherein X¹ is afirst glycosyl residue; and X² is a second glycosyl residue covalentlylinked to X¹, wherein X¹ and X² are selected from monosaccharyl andoligosaccharyl residues; wherein a cell-free, in vitro method of formingsaid covalent conjugate comprises: (a) removing X¹ and X², exposing saidAA; and (b) contacting said peptide with at least oneglycosyltransferase and at least one modified sugar donor underconditions suitable for said at least one glycosyltransferase totransfer a modified sugar moiety of said at least one modified sugardonor to said peptide, wherein said modified sugar moiety comprises apoly(alkylene oxide), thereby forming said covalent conjugate of saidpeptide.
 52. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 51, wherein saidwater-soluble polymer is a poly(ethylene glycol).
 53. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 52, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) has amolecular weight that is essentially homodisperse.
 54. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 52, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) is a member selected from linear poly(ethylene glycol) andbranched poly(ethylene glycol).
 55. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 52, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) ismonomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol).
 56. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 51, wherein said glycosyltransferase is anoligosaccharyltransferase.
 57. The pharmaceutical composition of claim51, wherein said glycosyltransferase is selected from the groupconsisting of ST3Gal3, ST3Gal1, ST6GalNAcI and CST-II.
 58. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 51 wherein, following said formingsaid covalent conjugate, said peptide is contacted with a sialic aciddonor and a sialyltransferase under conditions suitable for saidsialyltransferase to transfer a sialic acid residue onto said peptide,thereby transferring a sialic acid moiety onto said peptide.
 59. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 51, wherein said peptide is selectedfrom the group consisting of granulocyte colony stimulating factor,interferon-alpha, interferon-beta, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, chimeric tumor necrosisfactor receptor, urokinase, chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIaantibody, chimeric anti-HER2 antibody, chimeric anti-respiratorysyncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, DNase, chimericanti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, human insulin, hepatitis B sAg,human growth hormone, BMP-2, BMP-52, FGF.
 60. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent and acovalent conjugate between a poly(alkylene oxide) and a peptide, saidpeptide having the formula:

wherein X³, X⁴, X⁵, X⁶, X⁷, and X¹⁷ are independently selected frommonosaccharyl and oligosaccharyl residues; and a, b, c, d, e and x areindependently selected from the integers 0, 1 and 2, with the provisothat at least one member selected from a, b, c, d, and e and x is 1 or2; wherein a cell-free, in vitro method of forming said covalentconjugate comprises: (a) removing at least one of X³, X⁴, X⁵, X⁶, X⁷, orX¹⁷, or a saccharyl subunit thereof from said peptide, thereby forming atruncated glycan; and (b) contacting said truncated glycan with at leastone glycosyltransferase and at least one modified sugar donor underconditions suitable for said at least one glycosyltransferase totransfer a modified sugar moiety of said at least one modified sugardonor to said truncated glycan, wherein said modified sugar moietycomprises a poly(alkylene oxide), thereby forming said covalentconjugate of said peptide.
 61. The pharmaceutical composition of claim60 wherein said removing of step (a) produces a truncated glycan inwhich a, b, c, e and x are each
 0. 62. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 60 wherein X³, X⁵, and X⁷, are selected from the group consistingof (mannose)_(z) and (mannose)_(z)—(X⁸)_(y) wherein X⁸ is a glycosylmoiety selected from mono- and oligo-saccharides; y is an integerselected from 0 and 1; and z is an integer between 1 and 20, whereinwhen z is 3 or greater, (mannose)_(z) is selected from linear andbranched structures.
 63. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 60wherein X⁴ is selected from the group consisting of GlcNAc and xylose.64. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 60 wherein X³, X⁵, and X⁷are (mannose)_(u), wherein u is selected from the integers between 1 and20, and when u is 3 or greater, (mannose)_(u) is selected from linearand branched structures.
 65. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 60,wherein said poly(alkylene oxide) is a poly(ethylene glycol).
 66. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 65, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) has a molecular weight that is essentially homodisperse.
 67. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 65, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) is a member selected from linear poly(ethylene glycol) andbranched poly(ethylene glycol).
 68. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 65, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) ismonomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol).
 69. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 60, wherein said glycosyltransferase is anoligosaccharyltransferase.
 70. The pharmaceutical composition of claim60, wherein said glycosyltransferase is selected from the groupconsisting of ST3Gal3, ST3Gal1, ST6GalNAcI and CST-II.
 71. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 60 wherein, following said formingsaid covalent conjugate, said peptide is contacted with a sialic aciddonor and a sialyltransferase under conditions suitable for saidsialyltransferase to transfer a sialic acid residue onto said peptide,thereby transferring a sialic acid moiety onto said peptide.
 72. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 60, wherein said peptide is selectedfrom the group consisting of granulocyte colony stimulating factor,interferon-alpha, interferon-beta, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, chimeric tumor necrosisfactor receptor, urokinase, chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIaantibody, chimeric anti-HER2 antibody, chimeric anti-respiratorysyncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, DNase, chimericanti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, human insulin, hepatitis B sAg,human growth hormone, BMP-2, BMP-52, FGF.
 73. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent and acovalent conjugate between a poly(alkylene oxide) and a peptide, whereinsaid poly(alkylene oxide) is conjugated to said peptide via an intactglycosyl linking group interposed between and covalently linked to bothsaid peptide and said poly(alkylene oxide), wherein a cell-free, invitro method of forming a covalent conjugate comprises: contacting saidpeptide with a mixture comprising a nucleotide sugar covalently linkedto said poly(alkylene oxide), and a glycosyltransferase for which saidnucleotide sugar is a substrate under conditions suitable for saidglycosyltransferase to transfer a modified sugar moiety of saidnucleotide sugar to said peptide, wherein said modified sugar moietycomprises a poly(alkylene oxide), thereby forming said covalentconjugate of said peptide.
 74. The pharmaceutical composition of claim73, wherein said glycosyl linking group is covalently attached to aglycosyl residue covalently attached to said peptide.
 75. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 73, wherein said glycosyl linkinggroup is covalently attached to an amino acid residue of said peptide.76. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 73, wherein saidglycosyltransferase is selected from the group consisting ofsialyltransferase, galactosyltransferase, glucosyltransferase, GalNActransferase, GlcNAc transferase, fucosyltransferase, andmannosyltransferase.
 77. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 73,wherein said glycosyltransferase is recombinantly produced.
 78. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 77, wherein said glycosyltransferaseis a recombinant prokaryotic enzyme.
 79. The pharmaceutical compositionof claim 77, wherein said glycosyltransferase is a recombinanteukaryotic enzyme.
 80. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 73,wherein said nucleotide sugar is selected from the group consisting ofUDP-glycoside, CMP-glycoside, and GDP-glycoside.
 81. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 80, wherein said nucleotide sugar is selected fromthe group consisting of UDP-galactose, UDP-galactosamine, UDP-glucose,UDP-glucosamine, UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine,GDP-mannose, GDP-fucose, CMP-sialic acid, and CMP-NeuAc.
 82. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 73, wherein said peptide is atherapeutic agent.
 83. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 73,wherein said glycosylated peptide is partially deglycosylated prior tosaid contacting.
 84. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 73, whereinsaid intact glycosyl linking group is a sialic acid residue.
 85. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 73, wherein said method is performedin a cell-free environment.
 86. The pharmaceutical composition of claim73, wherein said covalent conjugate is isolated.
 87. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 86, wherein said covalent conjugate is isolated bymembrane filtration.
 88. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 73,wherein said poly(alkylene glycol) is a poly(ethylene glycol).
 89. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 88, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) has a degree of polymerization from about 1 to about 40,000. 90.The pharmaceutical composition of claim 88, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) has a degree of polymerization from about 1 to about 80,000, andfurther wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) is a branched structure. 91.The pharmaceutical composition of claim 88, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) has a mass from about 10 kDa to about 40 kDa.
 92. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 88, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) has a degree of polymerization from about 1 to about 30,000, andfurther wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) is a linear structure. 93.The pharmaceutical composition of claim 89, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) has a degree of polymerization from about 1 to about 5,000. 94.The pharmaceutical composition of claim 93, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) has a degree of polymerization from about 1 to about 1,000. 95.The pharmaceutical composition of claim 88, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) has a molecular weight that is essentially homodisperse.
 96. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 88, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) is a member selected from linear poly(ethylene glycol) andbranched poly(ethylene glycol).
 97. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 88, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) ismonomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol).
 98. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 73, wherein said glycosyltransferase is anoligosaccharyltransferase.
 99. The pharmaceutical composition of claim73, wherein said glycosyltransferase is selected from the groupconsisting of ST3Gal3, ST3Gal1, ST6GalNAcI and CST-II.
 100. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 73 wherein, following said formingsaid covalent conjugate, said peptide is contacted with a sialic aciddonor and a sialyltransferase under conditions suitable for saidsialyltransferase to transfer a sialic acid residue onto said peptide,thereby transferring a sialic acid moiety onto said peptide.
 101. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 73, wherein said peptide is selectedfrom the group consisting of granulocyte colony stimulating factor,interferon-alpha, interferon-beta, follicle stimulating hormone,erythropoietin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,interferon-gamma, alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissueplasminogen activator protein, interleukin-2, chimeric tumor necrosisfactor receptor, urokinase, chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIaantibody, chimeric anti-HER2 antibody, chimeric anti-respiratorysyncytial virus antibody, chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, DNase, chimericanti-tumor necrosis factor antibody, human insulin, hepatitis B sAg,human growth hormone, BMP-2, BMP-52, FGF.
 102. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent and acovalent conjugate between a poly(alkylene oxide) and a peptide, saidpeptide having the formula:

wherein AA is a terminal or internal amino acid residue of said peptide,wherein a cell-free, in vitro method of forming said covalent conjugatecomprises: contacting said peptide with at least one glycosyltransferaseand at least one modified sugar donor under conditions suitable for saidat least one glycosyltransferase to transfer a modified sugar moiety ofsaid at least one modified sugar donor to said amino acid residue,wherein said modified sugar moiety comprises a poly(alkylene oxide),thereby forming said covalent conjugate of said peptide.
 103. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 102, wherein said poly(alkyleneglycol) is a poly(ethylene glycol).
 104. The pharmaceutical compositionof claim 103, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) has a molecular weightthat is essentially homodisperse.
 105. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 103, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) is a member selected fromlinear poly(ethylene glycol) and branched poly(ethylene glycol). 106.The pharmaceutical composition of claim 103, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) is monomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol).
 107. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 102, wherein said glycosyltransferase is anoligosaccharyltransferase.
 108. The pharmaceutical composition of claim102, wherein said glycosyltransferase is selected from the groupconsisting of GalNAcT2, ST3Gal1, ST3Gal3, ST6GalNAcI, CST-I, CST-II andcombinations thereof.
 109. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 108,wherein said at least one glycosyltransferase is GalNAcT2, followed by amember selected from ST3Gal1, ST3Gal3, ST6GalNAcI, CST-I, CST-II andcombinations thereof.
 110. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 102wherein, following said forming said covalent conjugate, said peptide iscontacted with a sialic acid donor and a sialyltransferase underconditions suitable for said sialyltransferase to transfer a sialic acidresidue onto said peptide, thereby transferring a sialic acid moietyonto said peptide.
 111. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 102,wherein said peptide is selected from the group consisting ofgranulocyte colony stimulating factor, interferon-alpha,interferon-beta, follicle stimulating hormone, erythropoietin,granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, interferon-gamma,alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissue plasminogenactivator protein, interleukin-2, chimeric tumor necrosis factorreceptor, urokinase, chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antibody,chimeric anti-HER2 antibody, chimeric anti-respiratory syncytial virusantibody, chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, DNase, chimeric anti-tumornecrosis factor antibody, human insulin, hepatitis B sAg, human growthhormone, BMP-2, BMP-52, FGF.
 112. A pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent and a covalentconjugate between a poly(alkylene oxide) and a peptide, wherein saidpoly(alkylene oxide) is covalently attached to said peptide through anintact glycosyl linking group, said peptide having the formula:

wherein h is 1; a, b, c, d, e, f and g are 1; j, k, l and m are 1; i is0; n, v, w, x and y are 0; and R is said poly(alkylene oxide), wherein acell-free, in vitro method of forming said covalent conjugate comprises:(a) contacting said peptide with at least one glycosyltransferase and atleast one modified sugar donor under conditions suitable for said atleast one glycosyltransferase to transfer a modified sugar moiety ofsaid at least one modified sugar donor to said peptide, wherein saidmodified sugar moiety comprises a poly(alkylene oxide) such thatfollowing said transfer at least one of v, w, x or y is 1, therebyforming said intact glycosyl linking group.
 113. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 112, wherein said poly(alkylene glycol) is apoly(ethylene glycol).
 114. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 113,wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) has a molecular weight that isessentially homodisperse.
 115. The pharmaceutical composition of claim113, wherein said poly(ethylene glycol) is a member selected from linearpoly(ethylene glycol) and branched poly(ethylene glycol).
 116. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 113, wherein said poly(ethyleneglycol) is monomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol).
 117. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 112, wherein said glycosyltransferase is anoligosaccharyltransferase.
 118. The pharmaceutical composition of claim112, wherein said glycosyltransferase is selected from the groupconsisting of ST3Gal3 and CST-II.
 119. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 112 wherein, following said forming said covalent conjugate, saidpeptide is contacted with a sialic acid donor and a sialyltransferaseunder conditions suitable for said sialyltransferase to transfer asialic acid residue onto said peptide, thereby transferring a sialicacid moiety onto said peptide.
 120. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 112, wherein said peptide is selected from the group consisting ofgranulocyte colony stimulating factor, interferon-alpha,interferon-beta, follicle stimulating hormone, erythropoietin,granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, interferon-gamma,alpha-1-protease inhibitor, beta-glucosidase, tissue plasminogenactivator protein, interleukin-2, chimeric tumor necrosis factorreceptor, urokinase, chimeric anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antibody,chimeric anti-HER2 antibody, chimeric anti-respiratory syncytial virusantibody, chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, DNase, chimeric anti-tumornecrosis factor antibody, human insulin, hepatitis B sAg, human growthhormone, BMP-2, BMP-52, FGF.